Fifa has ruled out using extra match officials during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa next summer.
But additional assistants or use of technology considered for future
Fifa has ruled out using extra match officials during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa next summer.
World football's governing body met to consider bringing in two additional assistants in the wake of France's controversial play-off victory over Republic of Ireland.
It has decided against bringing in a total of six officials for match days - a system that has been trialled in the Europa League - but will hold an inquiry to consider the scheme.
Fifa's forthcoming investigation will also look into the possibility of using technology as an alternative to the additional assistants.
France booked their place in the finals with a 2-1 aggregate success over Ireland, but their progress was tainted by Thierry Henry's blatant handball in the build-up to their crucial goal.
Crossing
Fifa president Sepp Blatter called an extraordinary general meeting of the executive committee to discuss the matter, where it was decided to stick with the status quo.
"We have decided that for World Cup 2010, there will be no change in refereeing. We will still have one referee and two assistants," Blatter said.
"We are at a crossing in the road with what direction to go with the referees in the future because the game is so tense that it is impossible for one referee to see everything.
"Shall it be better to have more referees or assistants like in the Europa League experiment we have this year, or to have more technology?
"We have decided to set up a committee to look in to all this - not just by the referees' committee but also the football committee, the medical committee, technical committee to get deeply into this matter."
