A top official from the Croatian Football Federation has revealed they are still waiting for FIFA to respond to a request for an explanation regarding their recent World Cup exit. The 2018 finalists were knocked out of the tournament earlier this month after suffering a slender 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the round of 32 in controversial circumstances.
During the match, Croatia believed they had snatched a dramatic equalizer through Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol, but the goal was ultimately ruled out for an offside in the build-up. Although the referee originally let the goal stand on the pitch, a VAR check concluded that the ball had brushed Croatian forward Igor Matanovic before taking a deflection off Portugal defender Renato Veiga.
The Adidas ball deployed at the World Cup features microchip technology to register contact from players, and it was this that identified a sound wave as the ball moved past Matanovic, resulting in the goal being overturned following a VAR examination. Croatian Football Federation’s technical director, Stipe Pletikosa, has disclosed that their president, Marijan Kustic, dispatched a letter to FIFA requesting explanations regarding the contentious incident.
Pletikosa also outlined why Croatia raised concerns about the duration of the half-time break in their opening group-stage fixture against England last month. “We have thrown away the feeling of inferiority when we play against big teams and I hope we will no longer be in a situation where our placement is decided by other things than ourselves,” Pletikosa told RTL.
“We took an official position and immediately the day after the incident in the match with Portugal, President Kustić sent a harsh letter to FIFA, requesting insight into the VAR communication regarding that infamous chip. We have not received a response to this day.
“FIFA has stopped protecting football for the first time. It has had better and darker periods, but it has always protected the game. I’m not talking about referees, they will always make mistakes, it’s a normal and integral part of the game.
“But the hydration break, the chips, the 18 minutes of half-time in the Croatia-England game… it has gone so far that the game is no longer protected.
“I am surprised that the people who work there, who should recognise situations and protect the game, do not react at all.” England subsequently defeated Croatia 4-2 in Dallas last month, and are presently gearing up to take on Argentina in Atlanta in the semi-final on Wednesday evening.