Blatter: Italy WC win "a tragedy"

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said it was “a tragedy” that Italy won the 2006 World Cup on penalties and that the system will be changed.

The Final ended 1-1 with France after extra time and the Azzurri buried all five of their spot-kicks to lift the trophy in Berlin on July 9.

"When it comes to the World Cup final it is passion, and when it goes to extra time it is a drama,” said Blatter. "But when it comes to penalty kicks it is a tragedy. Football is a team sport and penalties is not a team, it is the individual."

The FIFA chief suggested a replay – which would cause massive organisational problems – or gradually taking players off the field in extra time until a Golden Goal is scored.

"We have four years or so before South Africa 2010, so I think we have time," he told a Swiss Chamber of Commerce event in Zurich.

The World Cup Final has been decided twice on penalties – both involving Italy. In 1994 the match ended 0-0 before Brazil emerged victorious. In 2006 the Azzurri saw off France from the spot.

Blatter has already courted controversy from Italian football after he failed to hand over the World Cup trophy in Berlin this summer. UEFA President Lennart Johannson took charge of the ceremony while Blatter watched from the stands.