After a deliberate handball from midfielder Ahmed al-Muhammadi in the Egyptian goalmouth with the score at 3-3, Webb initially pointed to a corner, with his assistant making the same ruling. But a couple of minutes later, Webb amended his decision to a penalty and showed al-Muhammadi a red card.

Kaka converted the spot-kick in stoppage time to give the Brazilians a 4-3 victory, denying Egypt a point that would have ultimately taken them through to the semi-finals from group B ahead of the US. Even though they agreed it was a correct decision, the furious Egyptians lodged a protest.

'Since when do the regulations say it is a penalty based on the monitors or on the television?' asked Egyptian assistant coach Shawky Gharib. 'What we all know in football is that it is always the referee who makes the final decision, not the television or monitors.'

In rejecting Egypt's complaint, Blatter denied one of the stadium's TV screens had played any part in Webb changing his mind. Curiously though, the 73-year-old announced in his next breath that television monitors would no longer be available to fourth officials during the tournament.

During another group B match, also involving the Brazilians in Pretoria, Swiss referee Massimo Busacca allowed play to continue after an ill-timed challenge from US midfielder Sacha Kljestan on Ramires. But two minutes later, after a stoppage, he sent off Kljestan after getting the word from the fourth official, raising suspicions video may also have had an influence.

Blatter's chief concern about making video referrals part of football is that they will disrupt the flow of the game. But if the system is streamlined, it should take no more than a matter of seconds to check a ruling. Isn't a minor delay better than risking an injustice that could leave a sour taste for years to come?

Interestingly, the fourth official accused by Egypt of watching a TV replay before intervening was Matthew Breeze. At last month's AFC Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Breeze explained how his eyes had been opened after watching referees in rival sports - most of whom are electronically aided - in his native Australia.

'[But] football stands out as opposed to rugby league, rugby union or Australian Rules as they don't seem to have as many sharp calls and game-changing decisions to make,' Breeze said. 'At the moment, [TV replays] are not part of the laws of the game, but if they were to be, I'd embrace it fully.'

The collective football consciousness was probably first opened to the possibility of television clarifying certain on-field matters when a global audience of more than 400 million watched England beat West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final. Viewers were left wondering if Soviet linesman Tofik Bakhramov got it right when he informed Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst that Geoff Hurst's shot had crossed the line for England's crucial third goal in extra time.

Sadly, the introduction of goal-line technology was put on the backburner because of doubts about its accuracy after being given a trial at the 2007 Fifa Club World Championship in Japan.

With many leading managers complaining about costly incorrect decisions, the English Premier League is at least open to the idea of outside assistance. But with Blatter vowing that nothing will be introduced while he is the boss, international football is likely to be in limbo at least until 2011, when the Swiss completes his term.

Video referrals in other sports have been, on the whole, a success. Hawk-eye technology is now an accepted part of tennis and, if anything, adds a sense of fun. Cricket umpires have benefited with assistance for run-outs and stumpings, while rugby refs can check tricky tries via the TMO (television match official).

So now it's time for the beautiful game to be dragged - kicking and screaming - into the present day.

Video may have killed the radio star but it will do no harm to the stars of football or its referees and fans. The only endangered species is out-of-touch administrators for whom the lyrics of the Buggles' 1979 hit might be appropriate.

In my mind and in my car,

We can't rewind we've gone too far,

Pictures came and broke your heart,

Put the blame on VCR