Graeme Souness Queries the VAR Ruling and Requests Documentation from FIFA After the Stunning Japan Goal Against Spain That Eliminated Germany
Japan beat Spain 2-1 thanks to Ao Tanaka’s winning goal from a Kaoru Mitoma cut-back which initially appeared to have gone out of play; A lengthy VAR check ruled in favour of Japan, the full curvature of the ball not deemed to have crossed the line; The result knocked out Germany
In order to confirm that the ball was in play during the incident that resulted in Japan’s dramatic victory over Spain and the elimination of Germany, Graeme Souness has urged FIFA to provide clear evidence.
A stunning comeback by Ao Tanaka followed a Kaoru Mitoma cut-back that initially appeared to be out of play. After the goal, there was a lengthy VAR review, but it unexpectedly decided in favor of Japan because the full curvature of the ball was not thought to have crossed the line.
As a result of their victory, Japan took first place in Group E, ahead of Spain and Germany, who lost to Costa Rica 4-2 in a thrilling match. But with replays of the incident appearing inconclusive, Sky Sports’ FIFA was compelled to produce the supporting documentation by Souness.
“There are 80 million Germans right now going mad, waiting for a picture that shows that ball didn’t go out of play,” he told ITV.
“Germany is not a small footballing nation. Why would you create confusion and not want to clear it up immediately?
“Why are FIFA not showing us something that is so controversial? Why aren’t they showing it to us? Clear it up for us, please.”
The goal was initially ruled to have gone out by the on-field officials. However, despite initial replays appearing to support their decision, VAR decided it should count because a later aerial view revealed the ball had not completely crossed the line.
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville questioned why only some of the viewing angles of Japan’s winning goal were shown to television viewers.
“The high cam that is on the line does suggest that there might be some of the ball over the line,” he said on ITV.
“But from that very first offside goal, Ecuador vs Qatar in game one, I’ve struggled with it a little bit that we’ve not been given the correct angles, it just doesn’t feel right.
“In the Premier League we see all the VAR cameras, here we don’t.”
Thomas Muller, 33, who may have just completed his final international match for Germany, was left speechless by the way their World Cup run had turned out.
“It’s an absolute disaster! I don’t know what happens next. If this was my last game, then I would like to say a few words to the German football fans. It was an enormous pleasure, dear people,” a tearful Muller told ARD.
“We experienced great moments. I tried to leave my heart on the court in every game.
“It is unbelievably bitter for us because our result would have been enough. It’s a feeling of powerlessness.”
‘I Am Not Looking for Excuses’
After losing to Japan, drawing with Spain, and defeating Costa Rica, Germany was eliminated from the World Cup in the group stage for the second time in a row. However, manager Hansi Flick was unwilling to place the blame for their early exit on the contentious VAR decision.
“There are so many reasons but I am not looking for excuses,” he said. “In the first half I was disappointed and very angry at my team and how we allowed the opponent to come back.
“We wanted to score three or four goals in the first half but then we made mistakes. If we had converted those chances, 16 of them.
“But the tournament was not decided today for us. We did not have any efficiency at this tournament and that is why we were eliminated.”
On whether he will resign, Flick added: “We’ll work that out quickly, it’s difficult to answer now right after the game when we’re eliminated. We’ll see about that soon.”
‘There is Great Technology Nowadays’
On Japan’s second goal, manager Hajime Moriyasu, speaking through an interpreter, said: “We were just playing to win. We think that our intensity materialised as a goal.
“Whether the ball was out or not, there is great technology nowadays for big football (matches).
“If it was really out, it would have been a goal kick, but the judgement of the referee was it was in.
“We respected it, but we were willing to respect either way. The final judgement was it was in.”
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