We analyze every VAR decision made in all 64 games at the 2022 World Cup. Antoine Griezmann controversially had a goal disallowed in France against Tunisia, and this is why.
After each game, we take a look at the main incidents to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the laws of the game.
– VAR overview of the World Cup in full: every decision analyzed
VAR upset: Griezmann goal disallowed for offside
what happened: Antoine Griezmann thought he had scored a dramatic equalizer for France in the 98th minute, but there was a VAR review for offside.
VAR decision: Goal Dissolved.
VAR Overview: This drills right to the heart of the offside law, and the definition of a “deliberate play” to set up a phase.
When Aurelien Tchouameni played the ball into the area, Griezmann stood yards offside. However, the France striker made no attempt to play the ball or challenge an opponent.
Defender Montasar Talbi tried to head the ball, but he didn’t get much on the clearance and it fell to Griezmann, who scored.
If the officials believed Talbi had made a “deliberate play,” the phase was reset, Griezmann was on and the goal counted.
If the officials believed that Talbi did not make a “deliberate play,” the phase was not reset, Griezmann remained offside from Tchoumeni’s pass, and the goal was disallowed.
Essentially, a “deliberate play” is about the defender being in control of his actions. It’s not just about a player trying to kick or head a ball. If the defender has to stretch to play the ball, and can not have real influence on where it goes, this is not considered a “deliberate play.”
This is a very subjective area of the offside law, which is why referee Matthew Conger of New Zealand had to go to the pitchside monitor to make the decision.
The VAR, Abdullah al-Mari – who was also on duty for the controversial handball penalty given to Portugal against Uruguay on Monday – and his Qatari colleague acting as the offside VAR, Taleb al-Mari, will have advised that Talbi was not h In control of the header and was stretching, therefore this could not be a “deliberate play.”
This is an IFAB example of a “deliberate play” header = no offside.
It is similar to Montassar Talbi’s, but with more control over the direction. Shows how complicated it is.
But Antoine Griezmann’s goal probably shouldn’t have been disallowed by VAR. # TUNFRA #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ps3kys3Hzh
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) 30 November 2022
The decision will be equally controversial, as the intricacies of the “deliberate game” are not widely known or understood.
Whether you feel this is a correct decision will ultimately rest on what you feel should be a “deliberate game.” But it’s fair to say that most people will feel this is an exceptionally harsh VAR decision.
