FIFA credit Crespo for Argentina goal v Mexico

FIFA credit Crespo for Argentina goal v Mexico
Berlin | June 27, 2006 2:45:48 AM IST

Argentina striker Hernan Crespo was credited by FIFA's Technical Study Group (TSG) as the scorer of their first goal against Mexico even though he appeared not to have made contact with the ball.

TV replays and still pictures clearly showed that Mexico's Jared Borgetti, under pressure from Crespo, headed past his own goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez to give Argentina a 10th minute equaliser in their second-round match yesterday.

Argentina, who had gone behind to a Rafael Marquez goal in Leipzig, went on to win 2-1 with a brilliant volley from Maxi Rodriguez in the eighth minute of extra time.

Although Crespo challenged for the ball at an Argentine corner, footage aired on television did not indicate him making any contact with the ball, with Borgetti clearly heading it powerfully into his own net.

Markus Siegler, FIFA's director of communications, said today ''Andy Roxburgh and his people in the TSG have looked at this again and after analysing the footage and still pictures they have decided the goal will be attributed to Crespo who deflected the ball.

''If there is any doubt, the goal will be awarded to the attacker.'' In 2002 FIFA awarded a goal scored by Brazil against Costa Rica to Ronaldo even though the ball had clearly been deflected in by defender Luis Marin with the striker not getting the final touch. Brazil won that match 5-2 on their way to the title.

REUTERS PDS VC1702

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