JOHANNESBURG—FIFA President Sepp Blatter promised on Tuesday to re-open the file on objective line technologies, while warning the French federal government to not meddle with the running from the country's Football Federation.
The head of soccer's governing body, speaking ahead of matches between Japan and Paraguay and Spain and Portugal to settle the last two quarter-final berths, apologized for the mistakes that have blighted the World Cup and mentioned it would be "nonsense" not to re-consider utilizing technology.
However, he created clear that only technologies to figure out goal line decisions and not video replays to figure out off sides as well as other match rulings will be discussed.
His tone was a lot sterner when discussing France, as he warned the federation would face sanctions that could consist of suspension — and a consequent international competition ban for its national and club teams — if the federal government treated soccer as a state issue.
South African police also got tough on Tuesday, arresting a British tabloid journalist for helping a fan gain entry to the England dressing room following a match earlier within the tournament.
Blatter apologized directly towards the English and Mexican football federations following television replays showed they were victims of blatantly incorrect decisions in their defeats on Sunday in last 16 matches against Germany and Argentina.
"It is obvious that following the experiences so far at this World Cup it would be a nonsense to not re-open the file on objective line technologies," Blatter said at a briefing with selected media.
"We cannot change anything with 10 games to go within the World Cup, but we will look again at technology, objective line technologies, at the company meeting of the (law-making) International Football Association Board in Cardiff, Wales in July."
FIFA earlier this year ruled out utilizing such technology within the foreseeable future, leaving it isolated among major sports.
Blatter also repeated a FIFA warning to the French federal government to not interfere in soccer following their team's disgrace in the Globe Cup, threatening to suspend their federation if there was an attempt to exert political influence.
The federation head, Jean-Pierre Escalettes, announced his resignation on Monday.
"In France they have made an 'affaire d'Etat' with football, but football remains within the hands from the federation," Blatter said.
"French football can rely on FIFA in case of political interference even if it is at presidential level, it is a obvious message.
"We will assist the national association and if can't be solved by consultation then the only point we have would be to suspend the federation."
If FIFA took that ultimate sanction, the French team will be barred from taking component in European Championship later this year and subsequent World Cup qualifying and their clubs would also be banned from the Champions League and other continental competitions.
Most observers think such extreme measures are unlikely against a nation of France's stature within the sport although FIFA has applied them elsewhere.
Meanwhile, South African police mentioned on Tuesday they had arrested a British tabloid journalist for helping a fan obtain access towards the England dressing room following a Globe Cup soccer match.
Sunday Mirror reporter Simon Wright was arrested in Cape Town on Monday following closed circuit television footage indicated he helped 32-year-old fan Pavlos Joseph get into the England locker room following their June 18 draw with Algeria, the police mentioned.
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