'Evidence' proves Japan's goal against Spain should have been kept as FIFA slams 'misleading images'

FIFA insists Japan's second goal against Spain was legitimate and added that some of the images shared online were 'misleading'.

Ao Tanaka came in from close range to give Japan a 2-1 lead, but the goal was only allowed after a lengthy VAR review after it appeared the ball was out of play before Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma doesn't cut it from the baseline.

The goal has sparked huge debate among television and online pundits, with ITV pundit Graeme Souness demanding that FIFA share the footage that was used to help make the decision.
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On Friday afternoon, the global gaming governing body posted two messages on its official Twitter account for clarification.

"Japan's second goal in their 2-1 win over Spain was checked by VAR to determine if the ball went out of play," it read first.

"The video match officials used the footage from the goal line camera to check whether the ball was still partially on the line or not."

A second post added: "Other cameras may provide misleading images, but based on the available evidence the entire ball was not out of bounds."

The second message showed how a ball could appear entirely behind the line and therefore out of play from a certain angle, but when viewed from above part of the ball was still hanging over the line.

Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu said: "If it was really out, it would have been a goal kick, but the referee's judgment was that it was in.

“We respected him, but we were ready to respect him in any case. The final judgment was that he was in."

His Spanish counterpart, Luis Enrique, suggested that some sort of 'manipulation' had taken place, adding: "I sensed something fishy was going on when the VAR took so long 'it was enough to decide... I have nothing to say. ”

Japan's win saw them finish top of Group E, after causing another huge upset in their opener by beating Germany.

Spain held on to second place on goal difference despite Germany's 4-2 victory over Costa Rica.

READ NOW: You'll never believe why FIFA cleared Japan's controversial goal against Spain

Sports Dec 2, 2022 0 27 Add to Reading List

'Evidence' proves Japan's goal against Spain should have been kept as FIFA slams 'misleading images'

FIFA insists Japan's second goal against Spain was legitimate and added that some of the images shared online were 'misleading'.

Ao Tanaka came in from close range to give Japan a 2-1 lead, but the goal was only allowed after a lengthy VAR review after it appeared the ball was out of play before Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma doesn't cut it from the baseline.

The goal has sparked huge debate among television and online pundits, with ITV pundit Graeme Souness demanding that FIFA share the footage that was used to help make the decision.

On Friday afternoon, the global gaming governing body posted two messages on its official Twitter account for clarification.

"Japan's second goal in their 2-1 win over Spain was checked by VAR to determine if the ball went out of play," it read first.

"The video match officials used the footage from the goal line camera to check whether the ball was still partially on the line or not."

A second post added: "Other cameras may provide misleading images, but based on the available evidence the entire ball was not out of bounds."

The second message showed how a ball could appear entirely behind the line and therefore out of play from a certain angle, but when viewed from above part of the ball was still hanging over the line.

Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu said: "If it was really out, it would have been a goal kick, but the referee's judgment was that it was in.

“We respected him, but we were ready to respect him in any case. The final judgment was that he was in."

His Spanish counterpart, Luis Enrique, suggested that some sort of 'manipulation' had taken place, adding: "I sensed something fishy was going on when the VAR took so long 'it was enough to decide... I have nothing to say. ”

Japan's win saw them finish top of Group E, after causing another huge upset in their opener by beating Germany.

Spain held on to second place on goal difference despite Germany's 4-2 victory over Costa Rica.

READ NOW: You'll never believe why FIFA cleared Japan's controversial goal against Spain