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FIFA Boss Backs VAR, Cites Phantom Goal Ousts U.S. From World Cup

Among the series of mishaps and failings that caused the United States men’s soccer team to fail to qualify for the 2018 World Cup was a goal that wasn’t — or shouldn’t have been — in Panama City. Though Costa Rica defender Ronald Matarrita slid across the goal line and prevented the ball from entering the net, the referee credited a goal to Panama’s Gabriel Torres in what ultimately resulted in a 2-1 win that sent Panama, and not the U.S., into the World Cup.

Speaking at a Women’s World Cup launch event in Lyon, France on Thursday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino cited that example in making his case for the adoption of the video-assistant referee (VAR) replay system in next year’s Cup.