Was this offside? Technology fault leaves questions over VAR images

Questions have been raised over a VAR incident after a technology fault left uncertainty about whether Switzerland midfielder Remo Freuler was offside before he was brought down by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada.

The moment has drawn attention because the available images did not clearly settle the key decision, leaving supporters and observers asking whether the correct call was made. The issue has also renewed debate about how much trust can be placed in video review when the technology itself is not working as expected.

What happened in the incident?

Freuler was involved in the key passage of play after moving beyond the defensive line before Abunada challenged him. The question at the centre of the discussion is whether Freuler had strayed offside before the goalkeeper’s foul.

In normal circumstances, VAR would be expected to use available camera angles and technology to help officials reach a clear conclusion. In this case, however, a fault affected the images, creating doubt over what could be seen and whether the review process had enough evidence to confirm the decision.

Why the VAR fault matters

The incident has highlighted a wider concern in football: when technology is used to remove uncertainty, any failure can leave the game with even more questions than before. For fans, players and coaches, the expectation is that VAR should provide clarity. When it cannot, controversy is almost inevitable.

With the World Cup stage under scrutiny, moments like this are likely to fuel discussion about the reliability of officiating systems and the need for consistent standards. The debate is not only about one decision, but also about how football handles situations where the evidence is incomplete.

More scrutiny on officiating at the World Cup

As the tournament continues, this incident will be remembered as one of the moments that prompted fresh scrutiny of VAR and the technology behind it. Whether Freuler was offside before being brought down by Abunada remains the central question, but the larger issue is the confidence that teams and supporters can place in the review process.

For now, the episode stands as a reminder that even in an era of advanced officiating tools, football can still be left debating the same old question: was it really offside?