New Soccer Officials Ahead of World Cup 2010

November 25 - As the draw for the finals of the World Cup 2010 soccer event edges closer, FIFA is under mounting pressure to make some significant changes at its executive meeting.

FIFA will discuss the possibility of employing two extra match officials at the World Cup, following the French handball affair that cost Ireland its chances to travel to South Africa next year and take part in this soccer extravaganza.

The Irish claim that French player, Thierry Henry's use of his hands during the match affected Ireland's results.

FIFA may rule to have Henry banned from one or two games for the handball incident.

An executive meeting is due to be held in South African next week to discuss all these matters and more.

The emergency meeting was called following questions over gambling scandals that have rocked the soccer world in Europe.

"Due to recent events in the world of football, namely incidents at the playoffs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, match control and irregularities in the football betting market, the FIFA president has called an extraordinary meeting of the executive committee," read a statement by the group.

FIFA's main consideration is the introduction of "additional assistant referees" whose job it will be to patrol the right of the goalkeeper and behind the goal.

This is not the first time that extra officials have been used in FIFA games. The Europe League used extra personnel over the last season on an experimental basis, although the results were not always unanimous.

FIFA is known to favor human intervention over video technology.

Officials believe that if two extra match officials had been present in the critical match between France and Ireland last week, someone would have noticed the handball incident and another goal in the game, scored by William Gallas, would not have stood.

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