The last straw for Cristiano: UEFA blames Portugal

An unacceptable goal by Cristiano Ronaldo in a dramatic World Cup tie between Serbia and Portugal would have risen to the mark if both federations had agreed before the game to use goal technology., according to said the UEFA this Monday. Ronaldo, the Portugal captain, ended up furious and was booked after his injury-time shot was cleared by Stefan Mitrovic, despite the ball having crossed the line, as television replays show.

Without video refereeing (VAR), instead of reviewing the incident, the match officials went ahead with the match and an upset Ronaldo left the pitch seconds before the final whistle, also throwing the captain's armband on his way to the tunnel. changing rooms. “The decision to use goal-line technology for the European qualifiers rests with the host association for each match.”said the governing body of European football. “If the host association plans to implement the goal line technology, it must also obtain the written consent of the visiting association for it to be used,” UEFA added.

The match referee, Danny Makkelie, told the Portuguese newspaper A Ball this Monday he had apologized to Portugal's coach, Fernando Santos, and the rest of the team for the mistake. “All I can say is that I apologized to the coach and the team for what happened. As referees we always work hard to make the right decisions.. When we make the news for a reason like this, we don't like it at all, “he said.

The VAR, paused

Santos said after the match that it was unacceptable not to have VAR at this level of competition, but UEFA said on Sunday that the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to install the system in time for the playoffs.. “In 2019 UEFA proposed the implementation of VAR in the current World Cup qualifiers,” he said.

“The impact of the pandemic on operational and logistical capacities led UEFA to delay the implementation of the VAR in the group stage of the Europa League (to 2021-22 instead of 2020-21), as well as to withdraw the proposal to implement VAR in the 2022 European qualifiers. “The VAR was also not in use in the UEFA Nations League group stage in fall 2020 and has therefore never been used in UEFA national team qualifying group stage matches to date. “

FIFA, which organizes the World Cup, said it was informed by UEFA in January that VAR could not be used in the qualifiers due to “problems and restrictions” caused by the novel coronavirus.

The result left Serbia at the top of the group with four points from two games, ahead of Portugal on goal difference. The two teams will meet again in the second leg in Portugal, next November 14, in the last round of matches.