FIFA speaks out after VAR drama affects World Cup match between former host countries
There was a big buzz at the World Cup when a VAR review during Switzerland’s Group B draw with Qatar wasn’t shown properly on TV. Both fans and experts were left scratching their heads over the decision. Early in the first half, Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler was hit hard by Qatari goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, and after the VAR team checked that Freuler wasn’t offside, a penalty was given.
TV replays seemed to suggest Freuler might have been offside, which would have canceled the penalty, but the referee’s call stayed the same. Breel Embolo calmly scored from the spot kick. Even though lots of effort went into scanning all 1,248 players for the new semi-automated offside technology used at this World Cup, no graphic showed up on the broadcast to explain the decision.
Without this clear visual, people started wondering and even questioning if everything was fair. Fans on social media were frustrated and demanded to see proof that Freuler was onside. To clear things up, FIFA stepped in and shared a statement during the next game between Brazil and Morocco.
FIFA said, “During the Qatar vs. Switzerland match in San Francisco, a brief technical glitch stopped the onside graphic from showing before Switzerland’s penalty in the 14th minute. The problem was fixed quickly. The VAR process wasn’t affected and followed normal steps to check the call. The lines used by VAR showed the attacking player was not offside in the moments before the penalty.”
Switzerland, expected to win this match, took the lead early thanks to Embolo’s penalty. But they struggled to keep the pressure on and ended up dropping points. Their mistake cost them when Qatar scored a late equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time. This goal, originally credited to Boualem Khoukhi, was later ruled an own goal, giving Qatar their first-ever World Cup point.
Next, Qatar will play the co-hosts Canada, while Switzerland faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in their second group game.