12 July 2026SideLine · sports news, rewritten
🔥 TRENDINGWorld CupFootballEnglandMLB DraftArgentinaNorwayNFLUFC 329MMABaseballMLBConor McGregorJude BellinghamSwitzerland
Football

Portnoy questions VAR after controversial England goal against Norway

By SideLine Desk ·
Portnoy questions VAR after controversial England goal against Norway

A late-game VAR review in the England vs. Norway World Cup quarter-final has sparked debate, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy expressing dissent over a crucial decision. Norway's players were reportedly displeased when Jude Bellingham's opening goal was allowed to stand, despite initial concerns about a camera's placement near the pitch.

The contentious moment occurred during England's World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway, a match that ultimately saw England emerge victorious. However, the outcome was overshadowed by a controversial call involving Jude Bellingham's first goal of the game.

Reports indicate that the Norwegian team voiced strong objections to the referee's decision to permit Bellingham's strike. The crux of their complaint centered on the possibility that the ball may have struck a camera positioned above the playing surface prior to the Real Madrid star finding the back of the net.

Adding his voice to the discussion, prominent sports media personality Dave Portnoy publicly stated his disagreement with the VAR's ultimate judgment. Portnoy's stance suggests he felt the decision, which favoured England and allowed the goal to count, was not the correct one based on the available evidence.

💬 SideLine Take

While VAR aims for perfect calls, this instance highlights its potential to create as much controversy as it resolves, leaving fans and personalities like Portnoy questioning the technology's infallibility.

AI-assisted rewrite. This story was written by the SideLine Desk from the reporting below and reviewed by our editors — read the original for the full story. How we work.
Source: Yahoo Sports

Explore: 🗓️ The Week in Sport

More stories