FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina has issued a statement defending the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision that disallowed Germany's late goal against Paraguay, a call that German coach Julian Nagelsmann labelled a 'scandal'. The controversial incident occurred during the World Cup round of 32 match, where Germany thought they had secured a place in the next round when Jonathan Tah scored a late header.
VAR Overturns Germany's Late Winner
As Germany began celebrating, the referee was sent to the monitor and subsequently disallowed the goal. The decision was based on German defender Waldemar Anton being deemed to have impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Germany ultimately lost the match on penalties, marking their first World Cup defeat via a penalty shootout in their history.
In his post-match press conference, Nagelsmann expressed his fury, calling the decision a 'complete scandal'. He stated, 'It's a scandal that he called that off. It's a complete scandal. There are games you have to win dirty. We would have won this one dirty.'
Collina's Explanation
In response, Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's chief of refereeing, released a statement explaining the rationale behind the decision. He said: 'Although keeping a position is not a foul per se, when an attacking player is not interested in the ball and deliberately moves, even marginally, with the clear intention of obstructing opponents' movement and prevents him from defending, then referees, and VAR when needed, should carefully analyse the incident and intervene.'
Collina added that this tactic is particularly scrutinised when it aims to prevent the opposing goalkeeper from defending the goal. He noted that coaches and players had been informed beforehand, so the punishment should not come as a surprise.
Germany's Penalty Shootout Heartbreak
Germany's exit from the tournament came after a dramatic penalty shootout in which Kai Havertz, Nico Woltemade, and Tah all missed their spot-kicks. Paraguay held their nerve to secure their first-ever knockout stage victory. The loss leaves Nagelsmann's future as Germany coach uncertain, though he insisted he does not plan to resign.
Nagelsmann commented: 'I want to continue. I'm ready. But in football, you don't have everything in your own hands. If the DFB wants me to, I'd be very happy to prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League. If they don't want me to, they have to tell me.'
Paraguay Advances to Face France
Paraguay will now face France in the round of 16, looking to replicate their heroic performance against the four-time World Cup winners.
