Croatian football officials and fans are contesting a crucial offside decision that disallowed Josko Gvardiol's 103rd-minute equalizer against Portugal in the World Cup. The goal was ruled out after VAR review determined that teammate Igor Matanovic had headed the ball to an offside player earlier in the play.
The decision hinged on data from a microchip embedded in the Adidas Trionda ball, a technology known as 'Snicko,' which indicated a touch by Matanovic. However, Croatian media and officials are now referencing a specific clause in FIFA's semi-automatic technology rulebook regarding 'hair.'
According to FIFA's regulations, 'Hair is only considered part of the body if it affects the movement or trajectory of the ball. This is only likely in cases of significant contact with a mass of hair, such as a top knot.' Croatian journalists argue that Matanovic's touch, if it occurred, did not appear to influence the ball's flight path towards Mario Pasalic, who assisted Gvardiol. The website Gol protested that video footage did not show any change in the ball's trajectory due to the contact, suggesting it should not have been classified as active play according to FIFA's own rules.
Croatian referee Bruno Maric echoed these sentiments, stating that while he supports technology in the sport, its decisions must be supported by clear visual evidence. "If the chip registers a touch, then the referees would also have to find visual evidence that this contact actually existed," Maric told Sportske novosti. "Only then can the decision be completely convincing for the players, coaches, fans and the entire football public."
Matanovic himself acknowledged a possible touch, telling reporters, "Honestly, I think I felt a little contact with the hair." He added that the referee informed him of the offside decision based on the chip in the ball.
The Snicko technology, which measures impacts and movement through a motion-sensing device in the ball, provided data indicating a small connection as the ball passed Matanovic's head. This data was presented to VAR officials. To the naked eye, the touch was not apparent, leading to widespread frustration among Croatian players and supporters who feel the reliance on technology is detracting from the game. Viewers watching the match were shown graphical representations of the VAR analysis, displaying a subtle wave on screen interpreted as sufficient evidence to disallow the goal.
Snicko technology, which has been used in cricket since the 1990s, made its debut in football during the 2022 World Cup. While it generates instantaneous data on ball movement and player touches, its use in making critical decisions has been rare. The controversy has ignited debate over the interpretation and application of technological data in football officiating.