A new angle appears to have emerged showing why Japan’s controversial goal against Spain in the World Cup was allowed to stand.
Thursday night saw controversy in the World Cup in Qatar saw Japan beat Spain 2-1 in their final Group E contest. That result also saw Germany knocked out of the competition, despite them claiming a 4-2 win over Costa Rica.
Ao Tanaka scored to put Japan 2-1 in front, but the goal was initially disallowed by the linesman. After a lengthy VAR review though, the goal was given. Replays from the host broadcast looked to show the ball crossing the line, but FIFA failed to provide any media with a definitive camera angle.
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The decision to award the goal has been met with plenty of controversy, with many believing VAR made the wrong decision. However, a new camera angle has emerged which may show why the goal was allowed to stand.
A new aerial camera angle appears to show that the ball may have stayed in play by a matter of millimetres. Journalist Chris Williams provided a couple of photos which show that the ball may have only just stayed in play.
The law states that the ball is in play "if the curvature of the ball is over the line", which it was decided was the case after consulting replays, including goal line cameras. And former Premier League referee Peter Walton explained why he felt the goal was allowed to stand.
"I’m seeing the same angles as you," Walton told ITV's post-match coverage.
"There’s a misconception in law that just because the part of the ball that is on the floor is over the line is out - well it clearly isn’t because it’s the curve of the ball. We see it often with corner kicks where it’s over the line but not quite over the line.
"In this instance, what the VAR is looking for is the evidence to suggest to the referee that the ball has clearly left the field of play and on the evidence that we’re seeing, he doesn’t have that in front of him.
“What I would suggest is the goal-line technology, those cameras are being used for VAR to discover whether it has left the field of play so there are angles that will show that.
"If however, a player’s boot or a player’s shin has gone over the top of the ball and they can’t see it clearly then the VAR will say to the referee: ‘I don’t have that evidence to give you, Mr Referee, stay with your on field decision’.
“We’ll see what pictures FIFA show us but the law is specific, the ball is still in play if the curvature of the ball breaks that line - do we have that evidence to show to the contrary? No we don’t."
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