There was controversy in Saturday’s Championship clash between Derby County and Norwich City.
Norwich forward Borja Sainz’s hat-trick proved decisive as his side edged out their hosts but his first goal should not have counted and there were question marks over the third.
For the former, USMNT striker Josh Sargent seemed to run the ball out of play immediately before Sainz’s finish, while the third goal also appeared to show the ball going out of play, albeit it was more of a marginal decision.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), who set the laws of the game, define the ball as being out as when “it has wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air”.
So how did the goals stand?
What happened?
Sainz, 23, opened the scoring in the third minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.
However, replays showed that Sargent was unable to prevent the ball going out of play before cutting back to Sainz. This, however, was missed by the officials.
Then, in the 87th minute, Derby claimed the ball had again gone out just before Norwich’s Jack Stacey cleared the ball out of defence. Moments later, Sainz completed his hat-trick.
Sargent (left) was unable to keep the play in for Norwich’s first goal, while the ball also appeared to go out before their third (Sky Sports)
The result moved Norwich two points above Derby in the Championship standings.
What was said?
When asked about the incident before Norwich’s first goal by UK broadcasters Sky Sports, Sargent said: “I knew it was close but I was taught to play until the whistle, so I carried on. And I was lucky that they counted it!”
Derby manager Paul Warne said in his post-match interview on Sky Sports that he “thinks what everyone else thinks” over Norwich’s first goal, while also claiming that the third goal had gone out of play.
“You can see how the players react,” Warne said in a press conference. “It is disappointing for that to be the first league goal we conceded at home and I don’t think we deserved it. We were a bit unlucky today to say the least.
“It felt like the whole stadium saw it and the fans made themselves heard at half-time. The third goal was a similar thing as we won a corner and it wasn’t given before they score.”
Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup, also speaking to Sky Sports, said that he understood why Derby would be frustrated with the first goal, but added that the officials need more support.
“Of course (he understands the frustration),” he said. “It is so easy to always blame the referee. Derby’s second goal is also clearly offside, so it is easy to complain about decisions but we need to provide officials with the support they need.
“I will definitely not be the guy who complains about decisions every week.”
Has this happened before?
Japan’s goal against Spain in the 2022 World Cup was proved to by technology to have remained in play (GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
In the final group stage match in the 2022 World Cup, Japan scored a controversial goal in the 51st minute against Spain to take a 2-1 lead.
The ball appeared as if it could have gone out before it was scrambled home — and it was a truly crucial goal in the group as it sent Japan through to the knockout stage as Group E winners and ensured Germany crashed out on goal difference.
Both Daizen Maeda and Kaoru Mitoma launched themselves towards the ball as it appeared to run out of play, only for Mitoma to dig it out from the byline.
His cross found itself back into the box, and Ao Tanaka kneed it home. Appeals immediately began to ask whether the ball was out of play.
Linesman Souru Phatsoane immediately flagged for the ball to be out. However, VAR can be used to ascertain whether the ball is out of play as that incident preceded the goal.
The goal line technology system only applies to the goal line itself. That means the goal was checked via the eye-test in the VAR room, in line with FIFA protocol.
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In November 2023, Antony Gordon’s controversial goal was enough to secure Newcastle United a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in an exciting encounter at St James’ Park.
The celebrations for Gordon’s goal had to be delayed while VAR Andy Madley checked — among other issues — whether the ball had stayed in play.
At first, it appeared the issue was whether the ball had gone out of play in the build-up. Jacob Murphy’s cross-shot was collected by Joe Willock near the corner flag. He delivered a cross that eventually led to the goal.
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Why is there no VAR in the EFL?
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Video Assistant Referees (VAR) were introduced in the Premier League in the 2019-20 season they are yet to be implemented in English football’s lower divisions.
The Athletic previously reported there were concerns over running costs and scepticism among clubs.
The technology is, however, used at Wembley for the Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals at the end of each season.
The absence of VAR in the Championship has led to several managers calling for its introduction in the division.
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(Top image: Sky Sports)
