Norway's head coach, Ståle Solbakken, has claimed that England's equaliser in the World Cup quarter-final should not have stood because the ball struck an overhead cable during the buildup. Replays appeared to show a Norway goal-kick hitting a cable suspended for a robotic camera before Jude Bellingham scored. However, Fifa released a statement saying a sensor in the ball showed no evidence of contact.
Solbakken Confronts Referee at Half-Time
Solbakken, whose team lost 2-1 after extra time, confronted the French referee, Clément Turpin, on the pitch at half-time. He argued that if the ball had hit the cable, the game should have restarted with a drop ball. According to Solbakken, Turpin said he did not see the incident and received no message that it happened. Solbakken stated: "He said that he didn't see it himself and that he didn't get any message that it actually happened. Since Fifa says that there was no touch, he can't do anything about it. But the ball fell down straight in front of the bench, so it did. Everyone saw what happened. I think it's pretty clear that it did."
Fifa's Statement on the Ball Sensor
Fifa released a statement explaining that the Connected Ball sensor showed no peak in the 'heartbeat of the ball' when in the air, indicating no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire and changed its movement. The cables are used to suspend a robotically controlled camera. Solbakken acknowledged the controversy but accepted the outcome: "I can sit here and cry but I don't want to do that. We have done everything we could – the players have been phenomenal throughout the tournament. OK it was bizarre but it's part of football and why it is the best sport in the world because things like that can happen. We have to accept it."
Tuchel Responds to the Controversy
England's head coach, Thomas Tuchel, said he was aware of the suggestions. He referenced a previous incident in a Croatia-Portugal game where a goal was ruled out because the ball flicked a player's hair, noting that the chip in the ball can detect even minimal contact. Tuchel's comment implied that if the sensor did not register contact, then it likely did not happen.
Impact on Norway's Tournament
Norway's defeat ended their World Cup campaign. Solbakken praised his players' performance throughout the tournament, calling it phenomenal. He described the incident as unlucky but part of football. The equaliser shifted momentum in the match, leading to England's eventual victory in extra time.
