Norway coach Stale Solbakken has claimed that the ball struck an overhead camera cable before England scored a crucial equaliser in their World Cup quarter-final victory. Despite FIFA's statement that the chip sensor in the ball showed no evidence of a cable hit, Solbakken remains adamant. "That was unlucky for us," he said. "The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed its direction."
Controversial Incident
The incident occurred in first-half stoppage time when Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland's long clearance appeared to change trajectory and fell into the path of England player Elliot Anderson, leading to Jude Bellingham's equaliser. Norway's players protested to French referee Clement Turpin, who could have disallowed the goal under FIFA rules. However, Turpin did not disallow the goal, stating he did not see the incident and received no communication about it.
FIFA's Response
FIFA issued a statement after Norway's 2-1 defeat, confirming that the chip sensor technology showed no evidence of the ball hitting the cable. This technology had previously been used to disallow a goal in Croatia's knockout defeat to Portugal.
Solbakken's Perspective
Solbakken expressed sympathy for Turpin's decision, acknowledging that the referee did not see the incident and received no communication about it. "He says that he didn't see it himself, and that he didn't get any message that it actually happened, and that's a good explanation," Solbakken said. "And since FIFA says that there was no touch, and that there is no signal from the chip and the ball, then he can't do anything about it."
Broader Context
Solbakken also discussed other contentious calls that went against his team, including a VAR decision that overturned a goal which would have given Norway a 2-1 lead in the second half. He noted that his team had benefited from similar margins in their last-16 victory over Brazil. "Well, we can sit here, we can complain, and maybe we can rightfully feel that most margins today went in our disadvantage, but against Brazil, margins were in our favour," he said. "That was definitely not the case today, but that's also part of football."
