Reversal of Decisions Occurs Every 2 Matches... Controversy Over Incomplete 'VAR'

Japan Reaches Round of 16 in World Cup for 2nd Consecutive Time
Referee's Goal Line Out Call Overturned by VAR
Most Decisions Follow VAR Review
22 Reversals in 44 Matches This Tournament
ESPN: "Adequate Explanation Needed for Fans"

Mitoma from Japan desperately saves the ball going out of bounds. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] Controversy has arisen over the video assistant referee (VAR) reversal that led Japan to the Round of 16 for the second consecutive time at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. Although the ball appeared to have crossed the line with the naked eye, the VAR decision recognized it as a goal.

On the 2nd (Korean time) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, the Group E third match between Japan and Spain was decided by VAR. In the 6th minute of the second half, with the score tied 1-1, during a scoring situation that made it 2-1, Kaoru Mitoma’s cross seemed to have gone out of bounds just before he crossed the ball. VAR was then conducted. Ultimately, the ruling was that the ball had not completely crossed the line and was still in play, so Japan’s goal was recognized. Japan leveraged this goal to win 2-1 and advanced to the Round of 16 as the group leader.

After the match ended, photos and slow-motion footage made it appear with the naked eye that the ball had gone out. The linesman even raised the flag indicating the ball was out. However, VAR analysis showed that the ball was touching the line. A commentator from the British BBC emphasized, "It is more important to view from above than from the side," and stated, "The goal should be recognized." According to football rules, the ball is considered "Out of Play" (the game is temporarily stopped) only when the entire ball completely crosses the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air. If any part of the ball touches the line when extended vertically, it is considered in play.

If this goal had not been recognized and the match had ended in a 1-1 draw, the Round of 16 ticket would have gone to Spain and Germany, not Japan and Spain. The British newspaper Daily Mail raised doubts, saying, "There is ongoing controversy online about whether this decision is correct," and "From most angles, the ball appears to have completely crossed the line, but VAR saw it differently."

Referee reviewing a penalty kick situation with VAR. Photo by Yonhap News

A total of 44 matches were played up to the morning of the 2nd in this tournament. Among them, there were 22 cases where VAR decisions were overturned. On the 2nd alone, three decisions were reversed. In the Germany vs. Costa Rica match, in the 44th minute of the second half, Germany’s Niklas F?llkrug scored to make it 4-2. The linesman initially called offside. After reviewing VAR, the goal was recognized. In the Croatia vs. Belgium match, a penalty kick was awarded to Croatia in the 15th minute of the first half. However, VAR caught an offside by a Croatian player, and the penalty kick was canceled.

Two VAR decision reversals also occurred the previous day. In the Argentina vs. Poland match, during a collision between Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Wojciech Szcz?sny (Poland), the VAR referee advised the main referee to "review the penalty." Eventually, a penalty kick was awarded, but Messi’s penalty was directly saved by goalkeeper Szcz?sny. In the France vs. Tunisia match, Antoine Griezmann’s equalizing goal in added time of the second half was disallowed by VAR.

The VAR result in the Korea vs. Ghana match was not included among the overturned decisions. During Ghana’s first goal, the ball hit the arm of a Ghanaian player inside the penalty area. VAR reviewed and judged there was no intent, so the original goal decision was maintained.

Once VAR catches an incident, most decisions follow its ruling. However, there was one case in this tournament where a foul detected by VAR was not applied in the decision. During the Denmark vs. Tunisia match, in added time of the second half, the ball hit the arm of Tunisia defender Yassine Meriah, and VAR signaled the referee. However, the referee prioritized a push by a Denmark player on a Tunisia player before the handball and did not accept the VAR room’s advice.

The American sports media outlet ESPN criticized, "FIFA is not providing sufficient explanations to fans regarding VAR decision reversals in this tournament," and added, "They do not provide clear grounds or evidence." It also noted, "The English Premier League shares related materials with broadcasters when reviewing VAR, but FIFA does not."

Gary Neville, former England national team player, expressed doubts about the VAR decision in the Japan vs. Spain match in an interview with the Daily Mail. Neville said, "I’m not a conspiracy theorist. But I have felt since the opening match that the VAR preparations for this tournament were insufficient," and added, "It is also uncomfortable that the exact angles are not disclosed."