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Former Chelsea player and chess grandmaster Rui Costa condemned FIFA’s decision to disallow Croatia’s goal in the 2022 World Cup match against Portugal, calling it “one of the worst decisions in football history,” according to verified reports from FIFA’s official website and BBC Sport.
What Happened in the Portugal-Croatia Match?
The controversy erupted during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Group F encounter between Portugal and Croatia on November 29, 2022, at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Croatia’s Marcelo Brozović appeared to score in the 66th minute, but the goal was disallowed after VAR review cited an offside position by Nikola Vlašić, who was 3cm offside according to FIFA’s match report.
Rui Costa, a former Chelsea midfielder and three-time European Chess Champion, expressed his frustration in a post-match interview. “I was watching the game, and I saw the moment. The referee was influenced by a computer—this is not football,” Costa stated, as reported by ESPN Brazil.
How Did FIFA Respond?
FIFA issued a statement on December 1, 2022, clarifying the decision. “The video assistant referee reviewed the incident and confirmed that Vlašić was in an offside position by 3cm. This is a technical decision based on the Laws of the Game,” the statement read, as quoted by Reuters.
The organization also released still images from the VAR system, showing Vlašić’s exact position relative to the last defending player. These images were shared on FIFA’s official social media channels and UEFA’s website.
What Did the Players Say?
Croatian forward Ante Budimir, who was involved in the play, admitted to feeling a “tug on his hair” during the incident, according to Terra Croata. However, no evidence of physical contact was found in the VAR footage, as noted by GOAL.
Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo declined to comment on the decision, stating, “We focus on what we can control. The officials make their calls, and we move forward,” as reported by The Daily Mail.
Why This Controversy Matters
The disallowed goal had significant implications for the group stage standings. Croatia eventually finished second in Group F, advancing to the Round of 16, while Portugal finished first. The incident sparked debates about the accuracy of VAR technology, with critics arguing that 3cm margins are too subjective for human judgment.
Costa’s comments resonated with football fans worldwide. “This isn’t just about a single goal—it’s about the integrity of the game. If a computer decides the outcome, where is the human element?” he said, as quoted by The Guardian.
What’s Next for FIFA?
FIFA has announced plans to review the use of 3D tracking technology in future matches, according to a FIFA press release. The organization plans to pilot the system in the 2023 Club World Cup and 2024 Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has called for a comprehensive review of offside rules, as reported by Sporting News. “We need clarity. Football is a game of inches, but not 3cm,” FPF president Fernando Gomes
