Frank Lampard’s ‘goal’ against Germany in their World Cup last 16 match on Sunday may have been mistakenly ruled as not having crossed the line, but England’s bookmakers have decided to pay out on it in any case.
“Everybody could see that it was in — apart from the men that mattered most,” a Ladbrokes spokesperson said.
William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said that it would cost his firm over £100,000.
“Even (FIFA president) Sepp Blatter knows Lampard scored so we have already begun paying out to punters who backed him to do so at odds of 10/3,” said Sharpe.
“It will cost us a six figure sum,” he added.
— AFP
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1966 game replayed in S. Africa
Bloemfontein, June 27: England midfielder Frank Lampard had a legitimate goal not awarded on Sunday in a World Cup match against Germany, a reverse of what happened in the 1966 final.
With England trailing 1-2 in the first half, Lampard’s shot from just outside the area hit the crossbar and bounced down. Replays showed the ball had crossed the goal line. After landing inside the goal, the ball spun back into play.
In 1966, England and Germany were level at 2-2 in extra time when Geoff Hurst’s shot struck the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and spun back into play. That time, the referee consulted his linesman, who awarded the goal. Hurst went on to score a third goal in England’s 4-2 victory. — AP