FIFA still refusing to embrace technology 11 years on

The debate over the use of video replays is back in the spotlight following England's second round World Cup defeat to Germany and the 'goal' that never was by Frank Lampard.

Neither referee Jorge Larrionda nor linesman Mauricio Espinosa spotted that the ball had bounced at least two feet behind the line after hitting the underside of the crossbar.

With England trailing 2-1 at the time, it was a pivotal moment in a game that the Germans went on to win 4-1 to set up a quarter-final meeting with Argentina.

Despite the furore, FIFA and president Sepp Blatter are steadfastly refusing to alter their opposition to change – something that comes as no surprise to former Football League director of communications Peter Rowe.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post from his home in Australia, Rowe said: "The Football League were the very first to try and to introduce goalline technology for the Spurs v Leicester 1999 League Cup final at Wembley.

"We were looking for new angles to promote the League Cup. Richard Scudamore, who was the League chief executive, had discussions with Sky about the idea because there had been some dubious calls at games.

"Sky wanted to put miniature cameras in each goalpost. We saw it as a great idea and a 'first' for us over the Premier League.

"We discussed it at executive level, but when we approached the FA they told us FIFA would not allow it. Because the goals are part of the 'equipment' of the game in the official rules, the FA said any rule change would need a full FIFA meeting. And that we would never get approval.

"We were annoyed, especially as sports such as cricket, rugby league and tennis had advanced so much with their various uses of video technology. Since then, FIFA has stubbornly refused to move with the times."

Along with video technology, FIFA president Blatter also dismissed the use at the World Cup of the extra two assistants that were a feature of the Europa League last season.

Whether the events of Sunday – Mexico were also on the end of a shocking decision when Argentina's first goal was allowed to stand despite Carlos Tevez being clearly offside – will bring about a change of opinion at FIFA remains to be seen.

However, Rowe, who also had a stint as the chief executive of Swindon and Keighley Cougars RL, said: "I am not for taking technology to the state of rugby league where everyone stands around and watches for the video ref to make a call.

"But the three seconds it would take to rule on this sort of thing would not be detrimental to the game. At the Football League, we tried to do something but were given a blunt and negative response by FIFA. Eleven years on, they still won't change."