FIFA explained the cancellation of Germany's winning goal

The International Football Federation (FIFA) issued an official explanation regarding the controversial episode that cost the German national team a place at the World Cup. We are talking about the disallowed goal against the national team of Paraguay, after which the Germans sensationally left the tournament at the 1/16 final stage. The dramatic outcome of the match happened in overtime. Bundesteam defender Yonatan Ta scored a header that had every chance of winning for his team. However, the joy of the Germans was short-lived: after watching the video by the VAR system, the goal was canceled. The reason was a foul by another German player, Waldemar Anton, against Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Replays showed that Anton pushed Gill onto the lawn. And although many fans and pundits criticized the referee's decision due to minimal contact, the game went to a series of post-match penalties. Ironically, it was Ta who did not realize the decisive eleven-meter penalty, punching above the crossbar, which ultimately The chief referee of FIFA, Pierluigi Collina, came to the defense of the refereeing team. According to him, the referees have received a clear instruction to severely punish players who try to block opponents without making any attempt to play the ball. Special attention in this directive is given to the protection of goalkeepers. "While holding a position in itself is not a foul, when an attacking player has no interest in the ball and deliberately moves, even slightly, with the clear intention of impeding an opponent's movement and preventing him from defending, then the referees, and if necessary VAR, must carefully analyze the incident and intervene," explained Collina. He also emphasized that this rule is critical during the standard provisions: "This is especially the case when the tactic is aimed at preventing the goalkeeper of the opposing team from defending the goal. Coaches and players were informed about this in advance, so it is not surprising that referees punish these fouls," he added. In addition to analyzing the controversial episode, Pierluigi Collina shared the first results of the introduction of new measures to combat the delay of playing time. FIFA introduced strict time limits for goal kicks, throw-ins and substitutions. In addition, players are now required to remain off the pitch for one minute after receiving injury and medical treatment. "All these measures have been very effective and are unanimously regarded as very positive innovations," the FIFA representative concluded. We will remind, in the 1/8 finals, Paraguay will meet with France.