Controversy Erupts Over England's Equalizer: Allegations of Ball Hitting Camera Cable

A controversy has erupted following the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between England and Norway, as allegations surfaced that a goal kick by the Norwegian goalkeeper hit a camera cable suspended above the pitch just before Jude Bellingham's equalizer in first-half stoppage time.
The Associated Press reported on July 12 (KST) that "footage appeared to show the goal kick by Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland grazing a camera cable above the pitch just before England's equalizer late in the first half," adding that "the broadcast captured the ball's trajectory changing abnormally in mid-air."
According to football regulations, if the ball hits an external structure such as a cable suspended over the pitch, the referee must stop play and restart with a dropped ball.
However, the referee allowed play to continue, and England, having gained possession from the goal kick, launched an attack that ultimately led to Bellingham scoring the equalizer.
Immediately after conceding the goal, Norwegian players protested to the referee, but their appeals were dismissed.

As the controversy grew, FIFA dismissed the claims about an hour after the match ended, stating there was no evidence that the ball had struck the wire.
FIFA explained, "The sensor embedded in the ball did not record any signal graph while it was in the air. It has been confirmed that there is no evidence the ball changed its trajectory due to contact with a wire."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.