Croatia Lodges Formal Complaint with FIFA Over “Abuse of Technology” in Portugal Match

The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging an “abuse of technology” during their 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match against Portugal. The complaint centers on two key incidents: the disallowance of a Croatian goal due to an offside call influenced by a chip in the match ball, and the VAR review that led to a penalty for Portugal.

Croatian officials argue that the technology used to detect an offside in the build-up to Joško Gvardiol’s potential equalizer in the 102nd minute was applied incorrectly and went against the spirit of the game. The goal was disallowed after VAR identified a slight touch by Igor Matanović on the ball, which had been detected by a chip within the adidas Trionda match ball. This contact, deemed almost imperceptible by conventional replays, indicated that Mario Pašalić was in an offside position when he assisted Gvardiol.

Por que importa

FIFA, in response, defended the decision, stating that the sensors in the Trionda ball provide “unprecedented data for quick and accurate decisions.” The governing body emphasized that the technology functioned as intended by detecting even the slightest contact, visualized as a “heartbeat graphic” on the broadcast.

However, the HNS, through its spokesperson Tomislav Pacak, expressed a different view. “We consider this an abuse of technology,” Pacak stated in an interview with Croatian television. “We embrace technology in football, but this application does not benefit FIFA, the teams, or the fans.” The federation argued that there was no “clear and obvious error” to warrant the VAR intervention and that the protocol was misapplied.

Contexto

Key facts
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Complainant | Croatian Football Federation (HNS) |
| Recipient | FIFA |
| Match | FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 16: Croatia vs. Portugal |
| Controversial Incidents | Disallowed Gvardiol goal (offside via ball chip), VAR penalty for Portugal |
| Technology in question | adidas Trionda match ball chip (Connected Ball Technology), VAR |
| HNS’s main argument | “Abuse of technology,” incorrect application of VAR, no “clear and obvious error” |

The HNS also questioned the VAR review that led to the penalty kick awarded to Portugal, which opened the scoring in the match. Pacak indicated that the referee should not have been prompted to review the footage for the penalty incident, suggesting another misapplication of the VAR protocol.

Croatian football officials acknowledge that their letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino will not alleviate the immediate disappointment felt by players and fans. Nevertheless, they stressed the importance of alerting FIFA to these issues and seeking a detailed explanation for the decisions made during the crucial match. The complaint adds to a series of recent protests lodged with FIFA, including one from Belgium concerning a different VAR decision.

This development highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the integration and application of advanced technologies in football. While intended to enhance accuracy and fairness, their implementation continues to be a source of contention, prompting scrutiny from national federations.

Source: https://www.clarin.com/deportes/reclamos-fifa-croacia-envio-queja-abuso-tecnologia-uso-microchip-beneficio-portugal_0_2Z7MoLNfUH.html

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