Why VAR was invalid in the 'ghost goal' that helped Thailand eliminate the Philippines

The controversial opening goal was the first turning point of the second leg of the AFF Cup 2024 (ASEAN Cup) semi-final between Thailand and the Philippines on the evening of December 30. After recognizing the goal, the referee did not review the video and did not signal for VAR to check, although slow-motion images showed that the ball may have been out of play before the Thai player scored.

The fact that VAR did not re-check this situation surprised fans because there was clearly an element of controversy. However, this was actually the correct procedure. The rightness, wrongness and controversy surrounding this situation depend entirely on the main referee and the assistant on the field.

Close-up of Thailand's controversial goal.

In principle, the VAR - a team of assistant referees who study video in the technical room - automatically checks all situations on the field. They only report to the main referee in case of detecting obvious errors to give advice or request a video review.

In the situation where Thailand scored, only the view along the end line could determine whether the ball was out of play or not. The 2024 AFF Cup does not have sensors and simulation technology to determine the exact position of the ball.

The image shows that the ball appears to have gone out of play, but this is not a 100% accurate angle.

Therefore, the video assistant referees (VAR) have no basis to confirm whether the referee is right or wrong in this situation. In other words, VAR is completely invalid. Of course, the main referee has no reason to change the decision he has made.

In Thailand's goal, Seksan Ratree tried to save the ball at the end of the field. Most of the ball rolled out of play but according to the rules, only when the entire vertical cross-section of the ball crosses the line is it considered out of play.

In this situation, the key point is the assistant linesman's judgment (because the main referee was not in the right position to observe). There was no signal from the linesman, so the main referee naturally recognized the goal for Thailand.

Xiao Ming

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/vi-sao-var-vo-hieu-trong-ban-thang-ma-giup-thai-lan-loai-philippines-ar917427.html