Bookies pay out twice in own-goal dilemma

Bookmakers have decided to pay out on Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen as first goal scorer in England's 3-0 victory over Denmark on Saturday.

Ferdinand's fifth-minute header, which was going across goal, was bundled into the net by the Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen. The Press Association, which bookmakers use as their arbiter, at first ruled that it was an own goal. Bookies therefore initially paid out on this basis, and the Press Association subsequently received many calls from irate punters.

However, Fifa, the game's world governing body, yesterday awarded Ferdinand the goal. Owen scored England's second goal after 22 minutes.

Yesterday, the Tote, William Hill, Coral and Ladbrokes all said they would pay out on both goals. The Tote's public relations director Andy Clifton said: "This decision will cost in the region of £200,000, but we feel it is the fairest thing to do."

A statement from the Press Association said: "This is Fifa's competition and it is their prerogative to award the goal as they see fit."