World Cup rocked after 'terrible' call baffles viewers: 'Ruining the sport'
France have reportedly asked FIFA for an explanation to why VAR was allowed to check Antoine Griezmann's apparent goal against Tunisia after the final whistle blew in their World Cup game. Tunisia caused one of the biggest upsets at the Qatar World Cup after defeating defending champions France 1-0 in their Group D match.
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While Tunisia were hoping a win would be enough from them to progress, Australia's 1-0 win over Denmark in the other game saw them finish third in the group. However, Australia wouldn't have needed to win the match if France drew level and that is exactly what Griezmann thought he had achieved when he put the ball into the back of the net in stoppage time.
Play was restarted and the final whistle blew as the players embraced each other. However, the referee then checked the goal on VAR and deemed Griezmann was offside.
This was a controversial decision with the forward not actively involved in the initial play, before he got back onside and slotted the ball home. Football fans were absolutely howling over the decision, which cost France a goal.
We need to clear up a few things on the disallowed Antoine Griezmann goal.
It's turned into quite the mess, with the French FA complaining the goal was disallowed after Tunisia kicked off (which isn't possible by VAR protocol).
So, do France have a case? #TUNFRA #FIFAWorldCup— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) November 30, 2022
Breaking | Antoine Griezmann's equaliser vs Tunisia being ruled out was in contravention of FIFA rules which affirm that a goal cannot be disallowed, by VAR or other means, after kick-off is taken, as it was in this case. (RMC)
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 30, 2022
HEARTBREAK FOR FRANCE! VAR has changed the game https://t.co/u0wM2MUBU5
— Terps17 (@Terps17TV) November 30, 2022
Did VAR just disallow France’s goal AFTER the final whistle? 😂
— TalkFCB © (@talkfcb_) November 30, 2022
VAR ruining games. Ref absolute joke how is griezmann affecting the other player I have no clue.
— Siddhant Yadav (@sidy0605) November 30, 2022
Griezmann denied an equaliser by perhaps the craziest VAR call of the tournament so far.
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) November 30, 2022
Two terrible VAR calls today
The Szczęsny penalty.
And the Griezmann goal being disallowed.— Kai Ryssdal (@kairyssdal) November 30, 2022
He was offsides when the ball was first kicked, but didn't interfere with the play. The Tunisia player touches the ball and Greizmann is back onside at that point. Maybe a foul on the other France player, but there is no indication by officials. VAR really is ruining the sport. https://t.co/qwSNSxHRQN
— Max Magness (@MaximilianWx) November 30, 2022
To make matter worse, VAR checks are not allowed after a restart of play when a referee blows his whistle. Therefore, when Tunisia kicked-off, VAR should not have been able to intervene.
If the referee didn't blow his whistle to allow Tunisia to kick-off, but the players went ahead anyway, then he would be allowed to check VAR. ESPN reporter Dale Johnson explained that it appeared the referee did blow for a restart and then immediately blew his whistle for full-time.
This all boils down to whether the referee, Matthew Conger of New Zealand, gave Tunisia permission to kickoff.
Because Tunisia did kickoff, and Conger instantly blew the final whistle.
But if Conger hasn't signalled Tunisia to restart, it's meaningless.— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) November 30, 2022
This video would seem to suggest there is one short whistle for the kick-off, quickly followed by the usual full-time whistle.
There appears to be a small but definite gap between the two.
And that should tell us the referee permitted the kickoff. https://t.co/5aiyVUZFo0— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) November 30, 2022
Despite France's loss, having rested up to eight players, the reigning champions finished top of Group D.
They will now play Poland in the round of 16, after the European team lost to Argentina.
VAR wreaks havoc in Lionel Messi controversy
In another bizarre VAR decision, Lionel Messi made some unwanted history after becoming the first person ever to miss two penalties in World Cup tournaments in a thrilling 2-0 win over Poland. Argentina needed a win against Poland in the final group stages to secure their passage to the knockout stages in Qatar.
In the first-half, Messi went up for a cross as Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny flapped at the ball. Both players missed it, but Szczęsny made slight contact with Messi's face and the Argentinian forward went down.
And in a controversial moment, the referee reviewed the contact in a VAR check and awarded the penalty. Poland players were in utter disbelief as Messi lined-up to put Argentina ahead.
The noise was deafening in the arena, but Szczęsny picked the right side and saved the lacklustre effort. Messi looked down in despair as the huge contingent of Argentinian fans were stunned.
And while many consider Messi the greatest ever player to kick a ball, the Argentinian will go down as the first player ever to miss two penalties across multiple tournaments at the World Cup.
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