FIFA backs goal-line technology

The FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said "goal-line technology is no longer an alternative but a necessity" after Ukraine had a goal controversially not given against England last night, despite a assistant referee based on the goal-line.

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Ukrainian politician calls for England match to be annulled

Ukrainian politicians have given a mixed response to the England defeat last night, with Prime Minister Mykola Azarov saying the country "should not make a tragedy" out of the result while a parliament deputy urged for the match to be annulled.

John Terry Euro 2012
John Terry clears but television replays showed that the ball had crossed the line. Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

Mr Azarov said: "They tried to seize the victory until the last moment. But sports is sports and, like life, it has everything - luck, randomness, mistakes and unfairness. One should not make a tragedy out of that."

However, one parliament deputy, Yuri Karmazin from opposition party Our Ukraine - People's Self-defence, cried foul over the England game. "This was fraud on a European scale (carried out) under the English flag. Annul yesterday's game urgently because it was unfair," he said.

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Ministers not attending quarter-final over concerns 'about selective justice'

No UK Government ministers will attend England's Euro2012 quarter final match against Italy on Sunday because of "widespread concerns about selective justice" in co-host nation Ukraine, Downing Street said.

Ministers could attend the semi-final, if England progress that far, as that game takes place in Warsaw, Poland.

Platini praised goal-line officials on eve of England game

Uefa president Michel Platini praised the effectiveness of goal-line officials on the eve of the England v Ukraine game, where the host nation were controversially not given a goal despite the ball having crossed the line.

Michel Platini Uefa Goal-line technology
Uefa president Michel Platini made the bold claims on the eve of the England v Ukraine match. Credit: Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport

He told reporters in Warsaw: "With five, officials see everything. They don't take decisions without being fully aware. There's also a uniformity of refereeing. For example, they don't call unintentional handballs. That uniformity has led to more flowing football."

Platini added: "Goal-line technology isn't a problem. The problem is the arrival of technology because, after, you'll need technology for deciding handballs and then for offside decisions and so on. It'll be like that forever and ever. It'll never stop. That's the problem I have."

Jeremy Hunt 'thrilled' by England's win

Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was "thrilled" about England's victory and hoped they will continue to improve in a "quiet, British way".

Jeremy Hunt England Euro 2012
Jeremy Hunt said he hopes the team can improve in a "quiet, British way". Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

After a speech at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Mr Hunt said: "I watched bits of it (England's 1-0 victory over Ukraine). Obviously I'm absolutely thrilled and keeping fingers firmly crossed.

"England seems to do best when we don't have the highest expectations so I think it's best not to ramp up expectations too much. Hopefully we'll continue to go from strength to strength in a sort of quiet, British way."

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Footballers' friendly argument on England v Italy

Injured Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand have enjoyed a friendly argument over who will win the England v Italy match:

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