Ref admission clears England friendly

FIFA today announced they will not wipe England’s friendly against Trinidad and Tobago from the record books despite a mistake over substitutions.

Football’s world governing body did not give special dispensation for seven rather than the maximum of six substitutions, but said that it had been a mistake by referee Enrico Wijngaarde.

FIFA said in a statement to the PA Sport: “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.

“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.”