Croatian referees question FIFA's offside technology after Portugal match

Croatian referees are expressing confusion and dissatisfaction over a disallowed goal in a recent match against Portugal, questioning the application of VAR and offside technology.

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I don't understand why the main referee wasn't shown the replay from behind the goal, which clearly shows our player did not change the ball's direction.

One former referee, speaking anonymously, stated, "I don't understand why the main referee wasn't shown the replay from behind the goal, which clearly shows our player did not change the ball's direction." He explained that while the initial call might have seemed offside, subsequent replays indicated the ball's trajectory was not altered by the Croatian player, Matanović. This detail is crucial under FIFA's own rules.

"The ball did not change direction," the former referee emphasized. "If the chip indicated the ball touched Matanović's hair, the referee must clearly determine if the ball changed direction, as that is key. FIFA set such rules, but the whole situation leaves room for doubt." He questioned the logic, suggesting that if a player with a lot of hair had touched the ball, the outcome might have been different, implying the technology doesn't fully grasp the nuances of the game.

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The ball did not change direction.

While acknowledging the usefulness of technology like the chip in the ball, experts argue that it doesn't understand the game itself. The incident, they say, demonstrates that even technically accurate technology can lead to decisions that feel unfair and are not in the spirit of football. The disallowed goal has caused widespread debate, with many finding the decision unjust and highlighting the limitations of technology in football.

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If the chip indicated the ball touched Matanović's hair, the referee must clearly determine if the ball changed direction, as that is key. FIFA set such rules, but the whole situation leaves room for doubt.