The linesman at the centre of England’s disallowed goal storm has admitted he was caught out by the speed of Frank Lampard’s shot.

Uruguayan official Mauricio Espinosa failed to spot Lampard’s effort had bounced over the line after crashing down off the underside of the bar during England’s 4-1 last-16 defeat to Germany in Bloemfontein.

Had the goal been given, England would have drawn level at 2-2.

Fabio Capello is convinced his side could have then gone on to win the game.

It turned out to be the last game Espinosa was involved in as FIFA did not include him on their retained list for the last eight and beyond.

He said: “It was a very fast shot that I did not see properly, even though I was located in the right place.

“It was only when we saw the TV that we realised what happened.

“I feel quite sad about it but you have to accept it.”