FIFA has said coaches and players were told before the World Cup that referees will punish the type of foul that meant Germany’s extra-time goal against Paraguay was ruled out.
Jonathan Tah thought he had given Germany a 2-1 lead but following an intervention by the video assistant referee (VAR), referee Jalal Jayed disallowed the goal because Waldemar Anton was adjudged to have fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
The last-32 match ended 1-1 and Paraguay then won 4-3 on penalties, with defender Tah firing his spot-kick over the bar to give Jose Canale the chance to score the decisive kick.
Following the defeat – four-time winners Germany’s first loss in a World Cup penalty shootout – head coach Julian Nagelsmann said: “In my opinion, this foul was not a real foul; it was actually a joke that his goal was disallowed.”
But Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s referees committee, has said officials had been told to punish incidents when players try to block opponents and make no attempt to play the ball, especially when goalkeepers are involved.
“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 said.
“This is especially the case when the tactic aims to prevent the opposing goalkeeper from being able to defend the goal.
“Coaches and players were informed, so it should come as no surprise that referees will punish these fouls.”
Paraguay will play two-time champions France in the last 16 in Philadelphia on Saturday
(The Whistler)