Norway's players and staff are refusing to accept their defeat to England quietly, with assistant manager Kent Bergersen the latest to criticise the decision to allow Jude Bellingham's equaliser to stand. The controversy erupted during the match at Miami Stadium when Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland's goal kick appeared to strike an overhead cable, causing the ball to drop unexpectedly into the path of Elliot Anderson. Anderson exchanged passes with Anthony Gordon before finding Bellingham, who scored to cancel out Andreas Schjelderup's opener.
VAR Controversy and FIFA's Response
Nyland immediately rushed to referee Clement Turpin to protest, but no VAR review was conducted. FIFA later released a statement explaining that the sensor in the match ball showed no peak in its 'heartbeat' while in the air, indicating no contact with the wire. The statement read: "Before England’s goal in minute 45+2 against Norway, the sensor in the connected ball showed no peak in the ‘heartbeat of the ball’ when in the air, and therefore no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire and changed the movement of the ball."
Despite FIFA's explanation, Bergersen insisted Turpin should have been sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR. He told TV 2: "When Orjan kicks the ball, it hits the wire with the camera, so the ball is much shorter than it should have been. The referee should have looked at that."
Reactions from Norway Camp
Former Norway midfielder Kjetil Rekdal expressed disbelief, saying: "It's absolutely crazy that something like that can happen. The referees can't have noticed it. Then Norway would have had to storm the field for them to notice it."
Norway manager Stale Solbakken acknowledged the incident, stating: "Yeah, it probably will. That was unlucky for us. The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed its direction. It became a misunderstanding among our players and it was in a bad moment for us, but we can’t do anything about that. I don’t think we will play the game again, so that’s how it is." He added: "I can’t say anything about that because FIFA. If there’s no been no sound or there has been no reading in the chip, what can I say against that? But the ball drops down straight from heaven says everyone, including Orjan, who is the goalie, including the guy who is going to receive the ball."
Norway forward Alexander Sorloth also weighed in, saying: "You see the power Orjan puts into the ball, and I position myself further up, because I see it going far. So I have to go further up, and then suddenly it just drops and dies out. So it must be a drop."
Impact on the Match
The goal proved crucial as England went on to win the match. Norway's frustration is compounded by the fact that the incident occurred just before half-time, changing the momentum of the game. With no chance of a replay, Norway must accept the result, but the controversy is likely to fuel debates about the use of technology and VAR protocols in football.
