FIFA ban tv monitors at Confed Cup

Television monitors will no longer be allowed alongside the pitch at the Confederations Cup following Brazil’s controversial winning penalty against Egypt.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced the ban here on Thursday ahead of Brazil’s 3-0 victory over the United States.

“There is no more video in front of the fourth official on the side of the field so no one can say there is any interference in any decisions on the basis of video,” he told a press conference.

FIFA acted after Egypt complained about a penalty decision by English referee Howard Webb that cost them the match in the 4-3 loss to Brazil on Sunday.

The teams were locked at 3-3 in their Confederations Cup opener when a spot kick was given in the dying minutes for a deliberate handball inside the penalty area by Ahmed al-Muhamadi, who blocked Lucio’s shot.

Deputy coach Shawky Gharib said the team was bemused after Webb initially gave a corner only for the decision to change, seemingly after the fourth official, Australian Matthew Breeze, watched a video replay.

However, FIFA had on Tuesday dismissed the complaint.

“FIFA analysed the decision by going through all the evidence at its disposal, including the referee’s match report, as well as the additional statement that Howard Webb provided at FIFA’s request,” it said in a statement.

FIFA said their analysis showed the decision “was achieved through teamwork between the match referee and his assistant referee number one, Mike Mullarkey, who confirmed the offence to the referee from his clear viewing angle”.