Ex-PGMOL chief insists FIFA will take motion after ‘clear and apparent’ World Cup VAR situation
Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 in their 2026 World Cup Group G opener in Seattle, with a controversial moment which must be addressed by FIFA
Belgium have been told why their goal vs Egypt should have been disallowed(Image: Getty Images)
Belgium have been told by a former Premier League referee why their goal against Egypt in the World Cup should have been ruled out. The two nations fought out a 1-1 stalemate in the Group G encounter in Seattle on Monday, where both sides had chances to depart Seattle Stadium with maximum points.
Emam Ashour broke the deadlock for Egypt in the first half, with outgoing Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah supplying the assist.
Belgium then hit back in the second half, where ex-Manchester United and Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku believed he had levelled for his nation, only for later reviews confirming it was an own goal from Mohamed Hany.
Nevertheless, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has outlined why he believes Belgium’s equaliser should not have been allowed to stand.
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Hackett maintains that a free-kick in the build-up to Belgium’s goal saw the restart taken approximately 15 yards nearer to the goal than where the foul occurred.
Consequently, the former official also believes that FIFA may be inclined to take action following the match.
“This is a poor piece of officiating, not ensuring that the ball is positioned correctly at the point where the foul took place,” Hackett told Football Insider.
“The free-kick was taken from an advanced position approximately 15 yards forward from where the foul took place.
“This clear and obvious error by the referee should have resulted in the intervention of the VAR.
“The outcome should have been a disallowed goal, and the restart a free-kick at the position where the original offence took place.
“I have no doubt that in reviewing this performance, the FIFA referees management will be giving the referee some appropriate operational advice.”
Belgium and Egypt both now have two remaining group games to try and reach the knockout stages of the World Cup, which will include an additional round-of-32 phase.
The other match in Group G also ended in a draw as New Zealand and Iran battled to a 2-2 stalemate in Los Angeles, with both sides having to make do with a single point.
