Was this offside? Fifa under pressure to release VAR images To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Was there an offside in build-up to Switzerland's penalty? Was Switzerland's Remo Freuler offside before he was brought down by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada?
It is the question that remains unanswered. And it led to a penalty, converted by Breel Embolo, as the teams drew 1-1 in Saturday's World Cup Group B match in Santa Clara. Before the tournament, Fifa put a lot of stock in its new, enhanced semi-automated offside system.
World football's governing body scanned every player at the World Cup to create unique, lifelike avatars of each one. It was supposed to provide the most accurate illustration of offside decisions we have ever seen. Yet we are still waiting for the evidence to prove that Freuler was indeed onside.
"We all think it here [that it was offside]," Gary Neville said on ITV. "Everybody at home thinks it. Fifa are the host broadcaster and they have the semi-automatic decision that they can show us. "There is a massive question over that because it is offside in my eyes until they prove to me different." If there is one thing that is guaranteed to create doubt it is delay.
It creates a vacuum that feeds conspiracy theories. It might give the impression Fifa is hiding something. We have seen the avatar animations in action in the opening games, and not just for overturned decisions. We saw an example on Friday, with Tani Oluwaseyi flagged offside before Bosnia-Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj clattered into the Canada striker.
Fifa provided the semi-automated animation, even though the video assistant referee (VAR) had not got involved. It has been the same in decisions which are not close. In Saturday's later game, Fifa quickly showed the graphic for Morocco goalscorer Ismael Saibari against Brazil even though there was no real question about him being in an offside position.
Fifa has largely been very quick with offside decisions at this tournament. With an audio alert sent to an assistant when a player is more than 10cm offside there is no need for a delayed offside flag. The speed of this technology means the more obvious decisions are made quickly - but this was a tight one and appeared to be under the 10cm limit.
'Prove to us that it's offside' BBC Sport has attempted to get clarification from Fifa on the situation but as yet it has not been forthcoming. "It's like a dictatorship, this," added Neville. "The idea that they hold this evidence internally and don't show fans of countries who are playing in tournaments is absolutely ridiculous.
"To not show the evidence of an offside - prove to us that it's offside! Show it straight away. Why not have transparency?" In the domestic leagues which use semi-automated offside, they can fall back to drawing lines. That is because the semi-automated technology is not flawless.
It can be impacted by many things, such as players being close together or even something as random as ticker tape on the pitch. If the more advanced technology fails, VAR can revert to drawing lines - and the supporters get the evidence they demand. As yet, that has not been provided for the Switzerland penalty.
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Switzerland stunned by late Qatar equaliser Related topics More on this story Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor game A picture of the World Cup predictor, with text alongside reading "Predict the World Cup" World Cup fixtures and group standings World Cup How to watch the World Cup on the BBC World Cup Everything you need to know about the World Cup World Cup Shorts Watch as a Boston police officer entertains football fans with keepy-uppies.
Micah Richards Gabriel Jesus Top stories Vinicius Jr rescues draw for Brazil against Morocco - reaction Watch: McGinn & McTominay start as Scotland face Haiti in World Cup opener Qatar stun Switzerland to snatch first-ever World Cup point Elsewhere on the BBC Your daily World Cup 2026 podcast Football Daily Hit series based on a bestselling novel returns with a new mystery A Good Girl's Guide To Murder The story behind the birth of the FIFA '94 computer game Sporting Witness Watch every epic episode of Birmingham's notorious crime family Peaky Blinders Elsewhere in Sport New rules abound - was VAR diving decision wrong despite feeling right?
Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron reacts to Dutch referee Danny Makkelie's decision to book him for diving Fight is on for Hamilton as he and Russell reset successfully Lewis Hamilton and George Russell share a joke during the official news conference after qualifying for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix Why Pulisic is ready to take USA to next level - Giroud Olivier Giroud's BBC Sport column Fifa World Cup team guide Team guides USA start World Cup in style - but will they finally join the elite?
USA players celebrate scoring against Paraguay 'Oh it's another!' England's Kemp takes three wickets in four balls Video'Oh it's another!' England's Kemp takes three wickets in four balls Freya Kemp Bellingham, but no Guehi - England's expected team Jude Bellingham looks on World Cup quiz: Can you identify these 2026 host cities?
Graphic showing a large bridge Why T20 World Cup matters to England and wider game Nat Sciver-Brunt poses for selfie with young supporters Will three points guarantee a spot in World Cup knockouts? Gilberto Mora holding the ball Messi, Maradona or Pele? Ranking the top 10 World Cup legends Split picture of Pele, Zidane, Maradona and Ronaldo Who will win the World Cup?
BBC pundits make their predictions BBC pundits World Cup predictions, clockwise from top left: Micah Richards, Wayne Rooney, Olivier Giroud, Steph Houghton, Alan Shearer and Rachel Corsie Why are footballers wearing pink boots at the World Cup? Pink Nike boots Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor game Predictor logo 'In emergency, break glass' - England seek stability in Root Joe Root and Ben Stokes talk 'Mazadona', 'Einstein', 'The Ant' - 20 new players to watch at the 2026 World Cup Players to watch out for at the 2026 World Cup USA 94: The World Cup that 'changed everything' Alexi Lalas celebrates What do you know about women's events in England?
England players celebrate their 2009 T20 World Cup win From dazzling winger to veteran who barely runs - the evolution of Messi Argentina's Lionel Messi Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.



