Johannesburg — FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday ruled out the possibility of introducing video technology or even goal-line assistant referees in time for next year's Soccer World Cup.

The football governing body had held an "extraordinary executive committee meeting" to discuss a host of contentious issues, including the possible introduction of technology, Thierry Henry's handball incident and the match-fixing scandals in Europe.

Henry's handball incident sparked furious debate around the use of video technology, with those calling for its introduction at least expecting Fifa would consider the various options for the World Cup.

But Blatter, who has never hidden his objection to technology, said a resolution was taken to exclude next year's World Cup from any decisions that could change the way the game is officiated.

"So there is no change in the refereeing in the World Cup and we will have one referee as we have always had," Blatter said. "That is definite and it will not be discussed again."

Blatter said the debate within Fifa is now around technology and the possibility of introducing extra eyes to assist match officials.

"The committee was of the opinion that we are at a crossroads at the moment because the game is very intense at the highest level and it is impossible for one referee to see everything that happens during the course of a match.

"So we have to decide on technology or proceed with the way things have always been done in the past, with the possible addition of two more referees behind the goalposts. So yes, we will have a look at technology or additional officials on the pitch."

But while Blatter said discussion would continue around the topic, it was clear the Fifa president has an uneasy relationship with technology and the very idea annoys him.

He was annoyed each time the topic came up and he became animated when trying to explain why football has resisted the temptation to succumb to technology.

"Football is a game that is very spontaneous and we cannot imagine that a game can just be stopped and a decision taken based on the reply of footage," he said.

"It is the human element that makes football such a talking point. If you look at the individual sports like tennis, then that is a very different point of view."

Blatter said it was decided to open a case against Henry after he twice handled the ball in France's winning goal against Ireland that took the French into the World Cup finals.