The linesman who failed to spot Frank Lampard's goal against Germany says it was "unfortunate."
Uruguayan linesman claims he was well positioned
Mauricio Espinosa, who failed to spot Frank Lampard's shot that crossed the line against Germany, has described the error as 'unfortunate'.
The Uruguayan linesman did not see the ball bounce over the line after the midfielder's shot crashed off keeper Manuel Neuer's crossbar.
Germany were leading the game 2-1 at the time and had Espinosa seen the 'goal' then Fabio Capello's team would have equalised.
Unfortunately for England the goal did not stand and they eventually slipped to a 4-1 defeat and exited the South African tournament.
Espinosa claims the sheer speed of the shot meant that he was unable to ascertain whether the ball had indeed crossed the goalline.
"It was unfortunate, a very fast ball that we couldn't see as it went into the goal despite my positioning being correct," he told
El Pais.
He said the realisation he had made a mistake left a 'very bitter' feeling, but that there was no option now but to 'get on with things' as 'these are things that can happen in football.'
