BERLIN -- Soccer's governing body is not ready to put a second referee on the pitch during this World Cup.

Match officials have come under heavy scrutiny at Germany 2006 amid the record number of red and yellow cards and a spate of questionable decisions, some which have decided the outcome of games. FIFA has ruled out video instant replay, and technology to detect the ball crossing the goal line was shelved because it is not 100 percent reliable.

Two referees in working tandem have been tried, but it was "not the right path to follow" right now, FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler said Tuesday.

"We've carried out tests in the Italian league and cup matches," he said. "At the moment, it's not an actuality."

For any change to take place now, a national association would have to make a formal submission. The International Football Association Board, which governs the rules of the game, would then have the final decision.

In the meantime, one referee, two linesmen and a fourth official will continue to work the games, communicating via microphones and headsets.

After 54 of 64 matches, referees had handed out 24 red cards and 298 yellow cards, both World Cup records. Russian referee Valentin Ivanov was criticized by FIFA president Sepp Blatter for giving 16 cautions and ejecting four players in Portugal's 1-0 win over Netherlands -- records for a World Cup match.

The FIFA referees committee will meet Wednesday to determine which of the 22 officials will remain after the second round. The list is unlikely to be released before committee head Angel Maria Villar Llona speaks at a Thursday news conference.

"We don't want this event to be a public tribunal," said Siegler, declining to make any comment about the referees or referee decisions.

"It's certainly not that you wish it's dominating the discussion," he said.