The Uruguayan referee blamed for the "goal that never was" in the World Cup clash between England and Germany smiled but offered no comment today when a plucky Fifa volunteer asked if he knew Frank Lampard's shot crossed the line.

Referee Jorge Larrionda and his assistant Mauricio Espinosa failed to spot that the midfielder's shot crossed the line after crashing off the underside of the crossbar.

The match officials passed through the airport in Bloemfontein today where a young Fifa volunteer, who normally welcomes fans to the airport, asked if he knew the goal should have been allowed.

Charlotte Molakeng, 22, from Kroonstad, said: "I just asked if he knew there was a goal.

"But I got no comment, just a smile."

She said the referee appeared worried about his decision, adding: "I just had to see if he knew.

"I think he might be worried about it."

She said the officials were "very friendly" and gave her a pin badge as a token of thanks for her work.

They were escorted through to departures by two security officials.

The international marketing student at the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein said she was at the game last night.

She could not tell from her position whether the ball was in but saw television replays and said: "You can see it was way over the line."

But she said Germany was "bound to win" despite the decision, adding: "The England team haven't been on form. We didn't see much of Rooney.

"And the performance of Germany was just great."

Ms Molakeng continued: "I was stressed. I really wanted to ask him that question. I was just curious. But I thought I'm not going to get a reply.

"I saw his teeth - it was a wide smile. He was not expecting that kind of question. He was surprised by it.

"I just wish he had answered."