Germany's 'keeper Manuel Neuer: I fooled the referee into disallowing Frank Lampard's goal for England at World Cup 2010

It's all about the body language...

By Zack Wilson

WC 2010 - Manuel Neuer(Getty Images)

Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has admitted that there was an element of gamesmanship involved in the way the referee disallowed Frank Lampard's strike for England against Germany on Sunday.

Lampard crashed a shot onto the underside of the bar, with the ball then bouncing over the goal-line.

Neuer feels that the way he, as Germany goalkeeper, reacted helped to sway the match officials into ruling out the strike.

"I tried not to react to the referee and just concentrate on what was happening," he told reporters.

"I realised it was over the line and I think the way I carried on so quickly fooled the referee into thinking it was not over."

Neuer also has no qualms about admitting that the ball was a good distance over the goal-line.

"Then I saw it on the television in the doping control office and saw what actually happened," he added.

"And, yes, it was over. It should have been a goal for England. Probably about two metres."