IBGerm

Associated Press

LONDON — The group that determines soccer rules has expanded the experimental use of two extra assistant referees into this season’s European Champions League, a move made following a series of mistakes during the World Cup.

Use of officials behind the goals was tested in last season’s Europa League, and the International Football Association Board says it will decide in 2012 whether to permanently adopt the change.

The introduction of officials alongside the traditional referee and two linesmen is designed to help determine whether balls cross the goal line.

Continued experimentation means discussion of goal-line video technology may be postponed at the next meeting in October, when the IFAB sets its March agenda.

Debate on goal-line technology intensified at the World Cup after England was denied a goal against Germany because officials failed to detect a shot by Frank Lampard crossed the line after bouncing down off the crossbar.

This week at the Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Germany, a shot from France’s Lea Rubio struck the crossbar, bounced over the line and spun back into play, but English referee Alexandra Ihringova waved away claims for a goal and ordered play to continue.

IFAB’s technical subcommittee, which met in Cardiff, Wales, ruled national associations, confederations or competitions must cover the cost of the experiment.

It has been approved for a total nine competitions including France’s League Cup, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro Championship and Asia’s President’s Cup club tournament.

Three other events could take place if their ruling bodies agree.

CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer said Mexico applied to be involved after Argentina was credited with a goal from an offside position against the Mexicans at the World Cup.

Both Mexico’s Apertura and Clausura tournaments will feature the trial.

"They said, ‘It would be really great if our league could be involved.’ They were very receptive," Blazer said. "It’s not a light undertaking."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

South America:

In the South American zone all the eyes are on whether Diego Maradona’s Argentina will miss their first finals since 1970. In a group where the top four sides qualify and the fifth-placed team goes into a play-off in November against the fourth-placed CONCACAF side, the Argentines face Uruguay who are only a point behind them in fifth. Having lost four straight games away from home Argentine is not set for a faceoff with some of the league’s most prolific scorers of Uruguay. If Diego’s men lose and Ecuador wins in their away clash with Chile, Argentina would finish sixth and will be oust from the 2010 challenge.

Five-time champions Brazil, and dark horses Paraguay and Chile have already secured  places in the South American zone.

Europe:

England, Netherlands and European champions Spain have safely occupied three of the nine automatic places on offer in September, and were recently joined by three-times champions Germany, defending champions Italy, Denmark and Serbia. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal enter into tonight’s final qualifier against Malt, desperately needing a win in Group One to give the Iberians their best chance of a play-off position.

While group two leaders Switzerland only need a draw with Israel to make their second straight World Cup finals, a defeat could see Greece seal a berth instead if they beat Luxembourg. In group three, Slovakia must beat Poland to prevent Slovenia from winning the top spot if they complete an expected victory over a poor San Marino.

In group six Ukraine needs only to beat Andorra for a play-off spot while Group Nine sees Norway needing a culmination of results to go their way to grab a play-off place.

CONCACAF:

Mexico’s win over El Salvador (4-1) has secured them a place in the World Cup, while the United States qualified after defeating Honduras. Now, Costa Rica and Honduras are battling it out for the final qualification place and play the United States and El Salvador respectively, while the fourth-placed team will go into a play-off position against the fifth-placed South American nation.

Africa:

Ghana were the first country from Africa to clinch qualification, comfortably winning their group last month with two matches still to play, while the Ivory Coast joined them to leave three other places still up for grabs for the next round of qualifiers in November.

Asia / Oceania:

The four automatic places have been taken by Australia, Japan and North and South Korea, while Bahrain face a play-off against Oceania group winners New Zealand for the zones’ remaining finals spot. Bahrain were held 0-0 at home in the opening leg in Manama on Saturday, with the return leg in Wellington on November 14.