New FIFA transparency petition passes 3,500 signatures after Croatia's controversial World Cup exit
A Change.org petition demanding FIFA release VAR audio and sensor data behind Croatia's disallowed goal against Portugal has passed 3,500 signatures.
A recently launched Change.org petition aimed at compelling FIFA to reveal all technical information regarding Croatia's elimination from the World Cup has collected over 3,500 signatures. It comes after the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) sent an official protest letter to FIFA over the disallowed stoppage-time goal by Joško Gvardiol against Portugal, ruled out for an alleged offside involving Igor Matanović.
Rather than challenging the verdict itself, the petition asks for full disclosure around one of the tournament's most controversial VAR calls. Organisers want FIFA to release the VAR audio, ball-connected sensor data, the signal chart and spike, precise timing, synchronised video, offside calibration using semi-automated technology, player-tracking data and the complete technical justification behind denying the goal.
The petition argues that if technology is good enough to decide the winner of a World Cup match, the supporting evidence should be open to independent scrutiny by engineers, referees, players and fans. A similar demand was heard from Belgium fans after FIFA's controversial reversal of the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun.
Many supporters are unconvinced by the broadcast footage in the public domain, saying there is no visible change in the ball's speed, direction or movement suggesting it was touched before reaching Mario Pašalić. The campaign calls on FIFA to explain how the connected-ball technology detected the touch. Supporters can sign the petition on Change.org.
Source: Croatia Week · read the original