World Cup in brief

FIFA rules out using video replays to settle disputes

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) -- Despite admitting there have been refereeing mistakes, world soccer's governing body reiterated Sunday that video replays would not be used to help settle disputes.

However, some kind of video technology might one day be used as a way to determine whether the ball crossed the goal line, FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said.

"No doubt as technology moves on, the pressure for adopting some kind of video technology will increase," he said. "If any kind of technology were to be introduced it would be solely for adjudging whether the ball has crossed the line between the goalpost and under the crossbar."

The Spanish joined a growing list of critics of the officiating after South Korea eliminated them on penalty kicks Saturday after a 0-0 tie. Spain was especially upset about a linesman's call in overtime that took away what would have been the winning goal.

Fernando Morientes appeared to score on a close-range kick off a pass from Joaquin Sanchez, but the linesman ruled the ball had gone out just before the pass. Replays showed the ball was inbounds.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said some linesmen were "a disaster," and Pele, perhaps soccer's best player ever and now an ambassador for the sport, said "the level of referees is very poor, very low."

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Carried away: Celebrations in Turkey over the country's victory in the World Cup quarterfinals were marred by deaths and injuries.

Fours fans were killed and eight others injured in traffic accidents in the cities of Mersin and Izmit as cheering fans drove through in convoys of cars. Some 50 minor traffic accidents were reported in Ankara during the celebrations, private NTV television reported.

At least 12 people were injured across the country by stray bullets fired in the air during the celebrations, the Anatolia news agency reported. None of the injuries was serious.

Turkey beat Senegal 1-0 in overtime to advance to the semifinals against Brazil on Wednesday.

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Ready to play: Brazil's Ronaldinho will be able to play in the World Cup final or third-place game, depending on how his team fares against Turkey.

Ronaldinho, who scored the winning goal in Brazil's 2-1 quarterfinal victory over England, was ejected for a hard tackle, meaning an automatic suspension for the semifinal Wednesday.

FIFA, which has the option to extend bans, decided Sunday to leave it at one game, FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said.

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Long journey home: Senegal's soccer players stopped by one of the West African nation's most valuable allies, Taiwan, on Sunday for a two-day visit before heading home after their strong showing in the World Cup.

Carrying soccer balls and dressed in warm-up suits and shorts, the players strolled through Taipei's airport before calling on Taiwan's Foreign Ministry. The underdog team surprised many by making it to the quarterfinals, where it lost 1-0 to Turkey in overtime Saturday in Japan.

The players planned to attend a ceremony in their honor on Monday at a soccer stadium in Taipei. They were also to meet President Chen Shui-bian.

Senegal is one of fewer than 30 nations, mostly impoverished African and Latin American countries, that have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. In exchange for the official recognition, Taiwan often provides generous amounts of aid and other incentives.

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U.S. All-Star finalists: Claudio Reyna and Landon Donovan are among 33 finalists for the Mastercard All-Star Team chosen by FIFA's Technical Committee. The finalists will be announced Monday, and the team will be revealed on Friday.

Reyna, a veteran central midfielder, missed the 1994 World Cup with a torn right hamstring. He played in the tournament four years ago, but was ineffective after hurting his back when kneed by a German player in the first round.

But this year, even though he didn't score, Reyna was masterly in creating opportunities and shutting down the opposition.

Donovan, at 20 the youngest player to score in the tournament, had two goals -- one against Poland and one vs. Mexico. A versatile midfielder who also plays forward, his cross led to an own goal against Portugal, as well. with 0.34 at 1994 Cup in the United States.

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Foul! Leading Argentine daily La Nacion believes the 2002 World Cup should be declared null and void because of what it said was bad refereeing.

"This should no longer be called the World Cup of surprises. That would be superficial," the newspaper said in a column Sunday.

"It should be annulled right now, declared null and void because of the mistakes. As of now everything will be shrouded in doubt and suspicion."

Two-time champion Argentina was knocked out of the World Cup in the first round.

 

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