World Cup errors highlight need for technology rethink

The Times Editorial: There is no doubt that Germany deserved their 4-1 victory over England in the soccer World Cup on Sunday.

Argentina, who later that evening crushed Mexico by three goals to one, also merited their win.

The Germans and the Argentinians were far superior to their opponents.

It's a pity that these two great victories have been overshadowed by controversies emanating from two crucial mistakes made by match officials.

England's star midfielder, Frank Lampard, thought he had scored a brilliant goal in the first half before referee Jorge Larrionda incorrectly ruled that the ball had not crossed the goal line.

The English were trailing 1-2 at the time, and its players and supporters believe that, if the goal been allowed, the outcome of the game could have been different.

In the Argentinian game, referee Roberto Rosetti - one of the best in the business - allowed Carlos Tevez's first goal to stand despite the striker clearly being off-side.

The two incidents have revived calls for goal-line technology to be introduced in soccer.

The world football governing body, Fifa, and its the board of its International Football Association, refuse to allow the use of such technology despite clear evidence that it would enhance the game and assist match officials in their duties.

Fifa says technology would slow the game because officials would be forced to stop matches while they reviewed video replays.

But the reality is that introducing limited technology, especially around the goal post, would delay a match by only a few seconds and would not interfere with the rhythm of the game.

It is time Fifa followed other sporting codes and embraced modern technology.