Overview
- A goalkick that television replays appeared to show striking the overhead spidercam cable remained allowed during England’s match with Norway and England won 2-1 after Jude Bellingham scored in extra time.
- FIFA issued an internal review that it says found no peak on the ball’s internal “heartbeat” sensor and that spidercam and other camera angles show a natural flight path with no cable strike.
- Norway players, their manager and several pundits publicly insisted the ball hit the wire and pointed to halftime replays that, in their view, show a change of trajectory.
- Former referees including ex‑PGMOL chief Keith Hackett urged a deeper, transparent investigation and noted that the laws of the game require play to stop for outside interference if a cable strike is confirmed.
- The episode heightens scrutiny of ball‑sensor and VAR use after the Croatia–Portugal decision and could prompt FIFA to publish more detailed evidence or change review protocols to restore public trust.