New Footage Emerges in Jude Bellingham Goal Controversy
New footage has surfaced showing the ball making contact with the spidercam just before Jude Bellingham's goal for England against Norway in the World Cup quarter-final. The incident occurred in the 45+2 minute, when Bellingham scored to level the match, later netting the winner. Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland led protests, claiming his goal kick struck the spidercam before being intercepted by Elliot Anderson.
TSN Clip Shows Ball Trajectory Change
A slow-motion clip from Canadian sports network TSN zooms in on the moment the ball appears to hit the spidercam. Though the image is slightly blurred, the ball's subsequent trajectory suggests contact altered its course. Norway's Andreas Schjelderup, who scored Norway's opener, called it a scandal, saying: 'You see that the ball changes direction and lands ten meters earlier. I haven't seen the pictures again, but if it hit, it's a scandal.'
FIFA's Response and Connected Ball Data
FIFA issued a statement: '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.' Norway manager Stale Solbakken accepted the data but remained unconvinced, stating: 'Many on the bench reacted immediately. I was not one of them. I can't say anything about that because FIFA, if there is no sound in the chip, what can I say against that. The ball drops straight down from heaven. I think it's pretty clear that it did and yeah, it was a strange thing.'
England Advance to Semi-Finals
England will face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, while Spain play France in the other semi-final. The controversy has not overshadowed England's progression, but Norway's frustration remains palpable.
