England vs. Norway: FIFA sees no evidence of camera cable contact with ball

FIFA has addressed the controversial disallowed goal by Jude Bellingham in the World Cup quarter-final match between England and Norway, which England won 2-1 after extra time. The governing body stated that data from a sensor inside the ball shows no evidence of it touching a camera cable, which Norway's goalkeeper claimed had altered the ball's flight path.

“

The data would not prove that the ball touched a camera cable stretched in the air before Jude Bellingham's goal to make it 1-1, and therefore changed its flight direction.

Following Bellingham's equalizer, which would have made it 1-1, Norway's goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland immediately gestured towards the referee, indicating that the ball had hit a suspended camera cable in the air. According to the rules, if the ball touches an object not part of the field of play, the game should be interrupted, and a referee's ball awarded. However, the referee did not stop play, and the goal was disallowed.

“

The sensor in the ball showed no deviation.

Former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg commented that the VAR should have intervened to review the incident. He stated that if the ball contacts an object not belonging to the field, play must be stopped. Despite the controversy, England secured their place in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2018 with their victory over Norway.

“

If the ball touches an object that does not belong to the field of play, the game must be interrupted.