Fifth official Istvan Vad sent home after goal-line howler in England's win over Ukraine

Istvan Vad has paid the price for his human error (Getty Images)

The decision of the Hungarian fifth official Istvan Vad to wave play on when Ukraine's Marko Devic looked to have scored against England on Tuesday night has prompted the game's world governing body Fifa to send him and the rest of the Hungarian team home from the tournament. John Terry's interception stopped Devic equalising for the co-hosts even though the ball had clearly crossed the line.

The Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, also joined the debate yesterday. For the first time, Blatter has said that goal line technology is a "necessity" after Vad's extraordinary decision to deny Ukraine a goal. "GLT [goal-line technology] is no longer an alternative but a necessity," Blatter tweeted yesterday.

Fifa has been testing two different systems, including Hawk-Eye, with one likely to be introduced next season.

Vad, pictured, has a footballing background. His father, of the same name, was a front man for the Hungarian side Ferencvaros before becoming an international referee himself.

Vad's sister, Anita, was refereeing professional games by the time she was 20. Maybe she should have taken her place alongside the country's referee Viktor Kassai instead; then maybe they would not be going home.