So,
it’s happened, we didn’t even have to wait for a latter later match, VAR reared
its head in the first match of the tournament. The first half no less.
The
offside decision against Griedge Mbock is one that will cause even more debates
as it was exceptionally fractional as the defender raced back from an offside position
to meet Wendie Renard’s header. Her volley was a sublime one and was taken like
a seasoned attacker rather than a centre back.
The
celebrations started in earnest, the team joining together to dance and lift
the noise in the Parc des Princes another few decibels. The ball went to the
centre and the noise calmed but wait, there was a question. Was Mbock on or
offside? The signal went up, the invisible rectangle drawn in the air and the touch
to the earphone on the side of the referees head, there was an inquisition.
If
real time it looked touch and go, the video replays suggest she was onside but
slowed down to the briefest of microseconds and there is was, the defender was
a half centimetre offside. The goal was ruled out and the ball went back to the
goalkeeper. Just like that – a slow just like that – two-nil had been reduced
back to one-nil.
The
French didn’t let the disallowed goal slow them down and the hosts ultimately
went in at the break three goals to the good but it felt like it took too long –
even Corine Diacre noted in the dugout, the review felt like it was taking too long.
Waiting for the yay or nay, she knew it was going to be denied.
Down
to the purest rule of the game, Mbock was offside and yes, she was technically
gaining an advantage but it’s beyond a damp squib to disallow the goal. There
were no boos from the stands, no big protestations from the players, just, “Okay
then.”
VAR
with the controvacy but without the controversy; it’s arrived in women’s
football.
