FIFA take no England action
05 Jun 2008 - 11:17:39
FIFA has confirmed it will not downgrade England's friendly against Trinidad & Tobago from a full international despite a row concerning the number of substitutes used.
Reports had suggested the four players who made their debuts in the 3-0 win at Port of Spain - Dean Ashton, Joe Hart, Phil Jagielka and Stephen Warnock - could all lose their first caps as England had made one more than the permitted maximum six substitutions.
The Football Association were adamant that FIFA had permitted the use of an additional player, but the game's governing body denied they had given England special dispensation.
However despite threatening to wipe the match from the record books, FIFA has now softened their stance after blaming a refereeing error for the mix-up.
"FIFA can confirm it did not give special dispensation to make up to seven substitutions at the Trinidad & Tobago v England friendly match played on Sunday, 1 June 2008," read a statement.
"The referee of this match confirmed to FIFA that he received no instruction to allow for such a special dispensation, but that it had been a mistake by the referee.
"As FIFA has received no official protest regarding this match, it shall be considered as an official match."