Two Polish football officials have been suspended indefinitely after a controversial VAR decision disallowed a legitimate goal by Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak during Sweden's Nations League match against Azerbaijan. Pawel Malec and Daniel Stefanski, who served as Video Assistant Referee and Assistant Video Referee respectively, were removed from their posts by the Polish Football Association (PZPN) following widespread criticism.
The incident occurred when Isak, clearly onside, received a pass from Viktor Gyokeres and scored what would have been Sweden's fourth goal. The goal was initially confirmed, but Malec's review drew lines suggesting Isak was marginally offside. Match referee Paweł Raczkowski trusted the VAR judgement and disallowed the goal, despite replays showing the decision was incorrect.
UEFA acknowledged the error, stating: "The offside decision was a mistake by the VAR referee." The PZPN Referees' Board withdrew Malec and Stefanski's authority to officiate top-level matches in Poland, though relegating them to the first league was deemed excessive. Further sanctions from UEFA may follow.
Sweden won the match 6-0, but Isak was furious, calling it "almost the worst I've seen" in VAR history. "How is that possible?" he asked post-match. "I don't think I've ever experienced anything like this at this level." Swedish head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson added: "I was furious, the whole team was furious. For me, it was a goal."
