There were controversial moments in the first half of the World Cup group stage match between Qatar and Switzerland in San Francisco.
Commentators baffled by harsh offside decision (Image: ITV)
A harsh offside decision sparked confusion between Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon during the World Cup match between Qatar and Switzerland. Dixon, who was commentating on Matterface, was adamant that Switzerland’s penalty was canceled for offside.
The Europeans were awarded an early spot-kick after Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada brought down Lemon Freuler. There was no doubt that Freuler had been thwarted, but a freeze frame from the side suggested he had strayed offside before the challenge.
Dixon said he felt he was offside and watched replays to further confirm his decision. However, a penalty was awarded and Briel Embolo casually converted the spot kick to give Switzerland the lead.
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When the first replay was played, Dixon said: “There’s no question it was a penalty. The arm was offside. As for the run, that’s all he was offside for. It doesn’t count. He just walked away. The referee couldn’t see it so he pointed to the spot.”
After the decision was made, Dixon said: “There must be something wrong with the monitor” before declaring he was sure it was offside. The former Arsenal defender wasn’t the only one who thought it was offside.
One fan who was watching the game wrote on social media: “There is no doubt that it was a penalty. The arm was raised for offside.” Another added: “That needs an explanation. About a yard offside!”
Freuler knocked down in the box (Image: 2026 FIFA)
In response to questions, ITV referee analyst and FIFA-accredited referee Christina Unkel claimed that new VAR offside technology would have confirmed that Freuler was in fact onside, even though to the naked eye it didn’t appear that was the case.
She said: “There’s not necessarily a tolerance built into the system, but the technology that’s been put in place for this World Cup is at a higher level so it’s going to be much clearer and crisper. It’s not that far off. It looks like it was offside from our scenario here as well.”
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“But the technology is so advanced that it will be able to tell you very precisely down to the centimeter. So this is a very tight offside, but the technology checked both, there was an interaction of two offsides.”
However, ITV pundit Gary Neville was not satisfied with that explanation and was even more furious that they and fans in the stadium had no access to the automated technology screens. He said: “Everyone here thinks it (was offside). Everyone at home thinks so.”
“FIFA is the host broadcaster and they are showing us the decision semi-automatically. I have big doubts about that, because until FIFA proves me otherwise, it’s offside in my eyes.”
SANTA CLARA, CA – JUNE 13: Briel Embolo of Switzerland celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal, a penalty kick, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match between Qatar and Switzerland at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 13, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo credit: Alex Livesey – FIFA/FIFA, Getty Images)
“Fans already have mistrust in FIFA,” he said, before adding, “To be honest, this is a dictatorship. The idea of keeping this evidence internal and not showing it to the fans of the countries participating in the tournament, I want them to prove it’s offside. I want them to show it to me now. Why aren’t they being transparent?”
An even more furious Ian Wright also slammed those who decided not to give evidence about offside. “They’re doing what they want to do. They’re in the office and they’re watching it now. It’s scandalous,” Wright said.
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