FIFA rejects allegation: No ball contact with overhead cable before Bellingham's equalizer

The play leading up to the disputed goal began with a goal kick from Norway's goalkeeper Örjan Nyland, who sent the ball to England's Anthony Gordon. Gordon then laid it off to Bellingham, who scored the equalizer. Had the ball actually come into contact with an overhead cable, the referee would have been required by the rules to award a dropped ball.

Reactions from the Norwegian camp

Norway's coach Stale Solbakken said after the match that he himself had not seen the contact, but his bench had reacted immediately. "Ich selbst habe es nicht gesehen, dass das Kabel berührt wurde, aber unsere Bank reagierte sofort. Es ist eigentlich eine klare Sache." He added that the referee had told him he had not seen the incident and had not received any information about it. "Der Schiedsrichter hat gesagt, er hat es nicht gesehen und keine Information bekommen. Und da die FIFA sagt, es gab keine Berührung, kann er wohl nichts machen."

Solbakken also expressed doubt that the match would be replayed. "Ich glaube nicht, dass wir das Spiel noch einmal spielen werden." His players had been unsettled by the incident, the coach added.

Tuchel points to the chip in the ball

England's coach Thomas Tuchel was asked about the incident during the post-match press conference. He said he had not observed the scene himself. "Ich habe es nicht gesehen." Asked about the chip in the ball, Tuchel said: "Ich meine, da ist ein Chip im Ball, der dir sagt, wenn er ein Haar berührt."

The ball used at the World Cup contains a chip that registers when and with what force it is touched. This data is displayed graphically for TV viewers. The same technology had previously caused a stir when, in the round of 16 match between Croatia and Portugal, Croatia's equalizer was disallowed after evaluation of the sensor data.

Comparison with the Croatia incident

England international Gary Neville also weighed in, saying he believed the Norwegians rather than FIFA. "Also ich würde eher den Norwegern glauben als der Fifa."

England ultimately prevailed 2-1 over Norway and has advanced to the World Cup semifinal. The debate over the alleged cable contact is likely to occupy the Norwegian team for some time to come, even though a replay of the match remains unlikely according to Solbakken's words.