'Why at that very moment?' English legend explodes over VAR controversy... FIFA explains only after 3 hours: "Technical issue"

*This content was translated by AI.

A controversy erupted over offside and video assistant referee (VAR) review that even angered English football legend Gary Neville. The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) only issued an explanation after fan dissatisfaction had grown.

On the 14th (Korean time), UK's TalkSport reported, "Switzerland's goal triggered Neville's anger. Afterward, FIFA released the VAR images."

On this day, Qatar drew 1-1 with Switzerland in the Group B first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup held at the Bay Area Stadium in San Francisco, California, USA. Qatar, trailing 0-1, secured a valuable point with a dramatic equalizer in the fifth minute of stoppage time just before the match ended. Qatar center-back Boualem Khoukhi (Al-Sadd) scored a thrilling header. With this, Qatar recorded its first-ever World Cup point.

Qatar conceded first from a penalty kick early in the first half. The offside controversy arose from this scene.

Here is what happened. Switzerland created a decisive chance with a high-point header pass inside Qatar's penalty box. A chaotic situation then unfolded in front of the Qatar goal. Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada (Al-Rayyan SC) came forward to handle the ball but failed to clear it properly, colliding with Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler (Bologna) in the process. The referee immediately awarded a penalty kick.

The problem was Freuler's position at the moment he received the pass. On the broadcast screen, Freuler appeared to be ahead of the Qatar defense. However, the assistant referee's flag did not go up. The main referee then called a foul by Qatar. Switzerland was awarded a penalty kick. From the fans' perspective, this was a scene where offside suspicions could be raised.

The bigger problem came next. This tournament has introduced semi-automated offside detection technology. However, the FIFA-organized broadcaster did not provide viewers with offside lines or 3D graphics that could serve as the basis for the decision. Only a caption reading "Review Complete" appeared on the screen. No specific explanation that could resolve fans' doubts followed.

Neville was furious about this. As a football expert, he pointed out, "FIFA has evidence of the semi-automated offside detection technology it can show us. So why is it not showing it to us?"

He continued, "FIFA did the same in the previous tournament. Fans already distrust FIFA and the technology. There is a huge question mark over this scene." He raised his voice, adding, "To my eyes, it was offside." Neville also strongly criticized FIFA's decision not to immediately provide offside lines or 3D graphics, calling it "dictatorial."

Another English legend, Ian Wright, agreed with Neville's view. He said, "There is a semi-automated offside detection screen available, so why can't we see it? To my eyes, it also looks offside. I cannot understand it." Ultimately, Switzerland's striker Breel Embolo (Stade Rennais) stepped up as the penalty taker and scored the opening goal.

Football fans watching the TV broadcast can also more clearly confirm the decision through semi-automated offside graphics. Of course, regulations do not require this to be disclosed to fans. However, FIFA has long emphasized a method of more clearly conveying VAR decision explanations to both stadium spectators and TV viewers.

However, at the world's largest stage, the World Cup, and in a decisive scene that could determine the outcome, the failure to immediately release the relevant graphics intensified the controversy.

About three hours after the Qatar-Switzerland match ended, FIFA finally issued an explanation via social media. FIFA released the offside detection images used by VAR during the controversial scene. The images displayed lines showing the positions of Qatar's last defender and Swiss attacker Freuler. According to these images, Freuler was not in an offside position.

FIFA explained, "A brief technical issue occurred during the Qatar-Switzerland match, preventing the onside graphic from being generated before the penalty kick awarded to Switzerland in the 14th minute. The problem was resolved quickly."

It further stated, "The VAR workflow was not affected by this issue and followed the normal procedure to confirm the on-field decision. The line used by VAR to check the positions of the relevant players showed that the attacker was not in an offside position in the situation just before the penalty kick decision."

Ultimately, according to FIFA's explanation, the decision itself was not an error. Freuler was onside, and the penalty kick decision for Switzerland could stand. However, a technical issue at a crucial moment sparked controversy. Neville, Wright, and football fans alike sent strong criticism.

Meanwhile, in this tournament, Qatar was grouped in Group B with Switzerland, Canada, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Facing Switzerland, a "strong favorite for first place," from the first match, Qatar secured one point with a dramatic draw. In the match held the previous day, host nation Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina also drew 1-1. All four teams in Group B finished their first matches with 1-1 draws, starting on equal footing.

Qatar will play its second group stage match against "host nation" Canada on the 19th. Switzerland will also face Bosnia on the same day.

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*This content was translated by AI.