According to the French Football Association, it will lodge a protest against the 1-0 defeat in the last World Cup group game against Tunisia in good time. The reason for this is the fact that referee Matt Conger gave the French equalizer in the eighth minute of stoppage time and called off the game, but after the intervention of the video assistant, the goal was denied due to an offside position by shooter Antoine Griezmann. The game continued briefly and ended 1-0 for Tunisia.
The French association announced on Wednesday evening that the goal was “wrongly” withdrawn. The protest is currently being worked out and must be received within 24 hours of the game.
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France coach Didier Deschamps had already questioned the legality of the decision at the press conference after the game. “I don’t know all the rules,” he had said: “But the referee blows his whistle, then the VAR comes. I didn’t know that was allowed. Did you know that’s allowed?”
The decision would have no influence on progression and the further course of the tournament. France would be group winners even if they lost 1-0, while Tunisia would also have been eliminated 1-1 if they lost.
By the way, the French television viewers didn’t even notice this strange scene. After the final whistle, the transmitting channel TF1 left the transmitter. The former Bayern professional Bixente Lizarazu analyzed as an expert: “At least this end feels good.” When the sport was back on the air after the commercial, moderator Denis Brogniart said, according to “L’Equipe”: “We were sure it was over.”
The broadcaster apologized to its viewers in the evening. “We apologize to everyone who was unable to experience this moment live,” said a message that TF1 shared on its social media.