ALEXANDER ISAK was bizarrely denied a goal for Sweden after a shocking error from VAR.
The Newcastle ace was in action for his nation against Azerbaijan during a 6-0 mauling in the Uefa Nations League.
Possibly the worst offside decision I’ve ever seen I still can’t work out how Isak’s goal has been ruled out. pic.twitter.com/yrzxxpx7YO
— Dell
(@agbnufc_) November 19, 2024
VAR drew offside lines from Isak despite Viktor Gyokeres being the recipient of the pass[/caption]
Isak revealed there had been an argument between players and officials in the tunnel about the decision[/caption]
Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski had opened the scoring after 10 minutes before Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres netted a brace before the break to make it 3-0.
The ex-Coventry player soon turned provider as he picked up the ball in injury time and slipped a pass to Isak, who carried the ball down the left wing before cutting inside to shoot into the bottom left corner.
However, despite no original suggestion of offside, VAR bizarrely ruled out the goal.
The judgement was clearly incorrect when viewing a replay as Isak, 25, was well onside when Gyokeres played him the ball.
But it turned out that VAR had drawn the lines to Isak at the wrong time.
Instead, VAR had strangely drawn the lines from Isak when Gyokeres, 26, had originally picked up the move inside his OWN HALF.
The decision left fans and even reporters confused, with Siavoush Fallahi writing on social media: “I’m crying they gave an offside on Isak when the ball went to Gyokeres in the middle.”
A fan said: “Possibly the worst offside decision I’ve ever seen I still can’t work out how Isak’s goal has been ruled out.”
A second added: “They drew the line on Isak for the pass to Gyokeres.”
Another said: “We need a VAR check for VAR
Sweden went on to win the match 6-0, with Gyokeres scoring two more and Kulusevski bagging another while Isak also missed a penalty shortly after half-time.
Speaking after the game, Isak revealed he and his team-mates had been engaged in an argument with the VAR officials over the decision in the player tunnel at half-time.
According to the Sweden Herald, he said: “How is that possible? Seriously. It’s almost the worst I’ve seen.
“I’m happy, of course, that we win, but I score a goal that should be allowed, then it’s clear that you get annoyed.
“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything like this at this level when I’ve been involved.
“You’ve seen a lot of mistakes, but this one was pretty rough. The VAR referees stood in the player tunnel at halftime.
“We argued with them, but they stuck to their decision that they had made the right call.”
National team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson was just as angry, adding: “I was furious, the whole team was furious. I don’t understand it. For me, it was a goal, but we can’t change it.”
The game ensured Sweden won their Nations League C Group 1 with five wins and one draw, while Azerbaijan finished bottom of the group without a win.
Sweden are the only nation inside the top 30 ranked leagues in Europe who do not use VAR.
Having been written into IFAB rules in 2018, the Allsvenskan remains an exception by refusing to implement it.
Ola Thews, vice-chairman of Swedish giant AIK’s largest supporter organization, ASK, said of VAR in August: “VAR is a symbol of modern, commercialised-to-the-point-of-destruction football.”
Thews also believes VAR “ruins the euphoria” of scoring a goal.
In England, Premier League chiefs fear they have to go without semi-automated offside technology until next season.
Howard Webb had claimed last month that VAR was correcting 80 per cent of ref mistakes before Michael Oliver had a high-profile blunder during Manchester United’s clash at West Ham.
On-field referee David Coote had originally waved play on before being called back with Matthijs de Ligt accused of fouling Danny Ings following a coming together in the penalty area.
The decision to then award a penalty with the off-field recommendation was maligned at the time before Webb admitted it was “on balance, probably not a penalty”.
VAR: Imagine the future…
Martin Lipton’s pro VAR view
FAST forward 12 months to May 18, 2025.
After 89 minutes at Molineux, Wolves, needing to win their last game of the season to stay up, are beating Manchester United, who require a point for Champions League football.
A ball over the top sends Rasmus Hojlund racing away. The flag stays down. Hojlund scores. Wolves are relegated.
And on the way home, the dejected Wolves fans see the still image on their phones.
Hojlund was 2ft offside. No question. A shocker.
It means at least a year in the Championship, £100million income drop, a firesale of the squad. While United bank an extra £50m.
But it’s OK. Every one of those fans, plus smiling boss Gary O’Neil and the Wolves board, will line up to say: “No worries. It’s what we voted for. Rough with the smooth.”
Yes. And I’ve got a bridge to Ireland to sell you.
