Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken has spoken out about Jude Bellingham’s controversial performance against England, insisting it was “clear” that the ball hit the camera cable in front of the goal. This happened at the end of the first half for Norway FIFA World Cup the final defeat, when goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland launched a goal that appeared to hit a camera wire suspended above the pitch. England regained the momentum, and Bellingham completed the move to score. Nyland and Solbakken immediately appealed to the referee, believing that play should be stopped. However, the protests were ended, and the goal remained the same. Television replays appeared to show the ball connecting with the rope. FIFA, however, later confirmed that “there is no evidence that the ball touched the top wire and changed the movement of the ball.” Explaining the referee’s response, Solbakken said the official did not know anything about it. “He said he didn’t see it himself and he didn’t hear any news that it actually happened.” “Since Fifa says there was no touch, I can’t do anything. But the ball landed straight in front of the bench, so it did. Everyone saw what happened. I think it’s clear that it happened. It was amazing.” Under the Laws of the Game, if the referee or match officials determine that the ball has touched an external object such as the top rope, play must be stopped and restarted with the dropped ball. As the officials did not detect any contact, play continued undisturbed and England took the lead and scored. Despite his disappointment, Solbakken refused to dwell on the incident, instead choosing to praise his players for their efforts throughout the game. “I could sit here and cry but I don’t want to. We’ve done everything we can – the players have been great throughout the competition. Well it was a surprise, but that’s part of football and that’s why it’s the best game in the world because things like this can happen. We have to accept it,” he said. The Norwegian boss also saw the unexpected reaction to the ball after the contact caused confusion among his players in the crunch time. “It was pointless for us. The ball fell straight from the sky, so it takes this way. It was a misunderstanding between our players, and it was a bad moment for us. We can’t do anything about it. I don’t think we will play the game again, so it is what it is,” he added. England won 2-1 after extra time, Bellingham scoring both goals to send the Three Lions into the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
