Noorwegen decries arbitration as 'Belachelijk' after quarter‑final exit

Noorwegen is furious and calls the refereeing 'Belachelijk' after a 2‑1 defeat to Engeland in the WK quarter‑final, leaving the team eliminated and its midfielders Sander Berge and Martin Ødegaard publicly decrying the decisions. The disappointment was voiced immediately after the match, with both players blaming a single controversial incident for the narrow loss.

The quarter‑final between Noorwegen and Engeland hinged on minute details, a point underscored by the midfielders (Middenvelders) who felt the game was decided by marginal calls.

Berge lamented that the equaliser credited to Jude Bellingham might have resulted from the ball striking a cable of the floating camera. "Belachelijk, die goal met de kabel", he told Noorse media after the match.

Martin Ødegaard added his criticism, saying, "Ik heb het incident zelf niet gezien, maar de beslissingen waren soms niet in ons voordeel. Misschien heb je dat in duels als deze wel nodig," reflecting the captain's frustration.

FIFA responded on X, explaining that the sensor in the match ball showed no peak in its 'heartbeat', meaning there was no proof the ball hit the overhanging cable and altered its direction. The governing body’s clarification did little to soothe the Noorse side.