Croatian Football Federation officials have revealed that they are still waiting for FIFA’s response to their request for clarification regarding their recent withdrawal from the World Cup. The 2018 finalists were eliminated from the tournament earlier this month following a narrow 2-1 loss to Portugal in the round of 32 amid controversial circumstances.
During the match, Croatia believed that Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol had scored a dramatic equalizer, but the goal was ultimately canceled due to offside in the build-up. The referee initially put the goal on the pitch, but a VAR check concluded that the ball went past Croatian striker Igor Matanovic before hitting Portugal defender Renato Veiga.
The Adidas ball used at the World Cup was equipped with microchip technology that recorded contact from players, and it was this that identified the sound waves as the ball passed Matanovic, which led to the goal being overturned by VAR inspection. Stipe Preticosa, technical director of the Croatian Football Federation, said that the association’s president, Marijan Custic, has written to FIFA demanding an explanation regarding the controversial incident.
Preticosa also explained why Croatia had raised concerns about the length of the half-time break in their first group stage match against England last month. “We have given up the inferiority complex we have when playing against big teams. We hope that we don’t end up in a situation where our ranking is determined by factors other than ourselves,” Preticosa told RTL.
“We have taken an official position, but the day after the incident against Portugal, president Custic wrote a scathing letter to FIFA asking for insight into the VAR communication regarding the infamous chip. To date, we have not received a response.
“For the first time, FIFA has stopped protecting football. There have been good times, there have been dark times, but we have always protected the game. I’m not talking about referees, they always make mistakes. It’s a normal and essential part of the game.”
“But hydration breaks, chips, 18 minutes of half-time in the Croatia-England game…things had progressed so far that the game could no longer be defended.
“I’m surprised that the people who work there, who are supposed to be aware of the situation and protect the game, have not reacted at all.”England then beat Croatia 4-2 in Dallas last month and are now preparing to face Argentina in the semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday night.
