WC 2026 Qualifiers: AIFF seeks investigation into Qatar's controversial goal against India as outrage ensues
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Jun 12, 2024, 2:02 PM ISTThe All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially filed a complaint with the match commissioner regarding the contentious goal awarded to Qatar during their critical FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match in Doha.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially filed a complaint with the match commissioner regarding the contentious goal awarded to Qatar during their critical FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match in Doha.
According to a report quoting AIFF sources, the federation have urged for a comprehensive investigation into the goal, which was permitted by South Korean referee Kim Woo-Sung despite the ball visibly going out of play. This incident occurred during India's crucial match, which they ultimately lost 1-2 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday.
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The decision to allow the goal has triggered widespread outrage, as it prevented India from potentially securing their first-ever entry into the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the 2026 tournament.
"We have lodged a complaint with the match commissioner and are seeking a thorough investigation into the whole thing," said an AIFF official to PTI.
A daylight robbery in the Qatar vs India FIFA World Cup qualifier match.
Qatar players dragged the ball outside the line and kicked the ball towards the goalpost. The referee awarded a goal.
Qatar robbed, and FIFA allowed it. pic.twitter.com/WglqcVQDgY
During the crucial match, Hamed Momeni served as the appointed match commissioner, responsible for overseeing the game's organization and ensuring adherence to FIFA regulations.
In the 73rd minute, a pivotal moment occurred when Abdullah Alahrak's free-kick led to Yousef Ayem's header, which India's goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu managed to save. However, while Sandhu was grounded, the ball crossed the line, and Hashmi Hussein kicked it back into play, allowing Aymen to slot it into the net.
Despite the clear instance of the ball rolling out of play, the game proceeded uninterrupted. Per FIFA regulations, play should have stopped, and a corner kick should have been awarded since Sandhu was the last player to touch the ball before it went out.
Despite vehement protests from the Indian team, the referee controversially awarded the goal to Qatar, a decision that stood despite the objections raised by the visiting side.
According to the rule, "the ball is out of play if it is wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air."
India's coach, Igor Stimac, later conveyed his disappointment, labeling the "irregular" goal as the factor that extinguished his team's aspirations.
Goalkeeper Sandhu echoed this sentiment, describing the outcome as "unfortunate," emphasizing the need for the team to realize that they must seize opportunities themselves rather than rely on external factors.
Here's a look at how netizens reacted to the controversial goal during India vs Qatar WC qualifiers' clash:
The worst part about this is that Qatar 🇶🇦 players No. 5 & 6 clearly knew that the ball had gone outside, and still they continued celebrating the Goal
UNFAIR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL 😡 pic.twitter.com/O9tKeTuFq0
What a shame! Blatant cheating by corrupt Qatar to claim this goal against India. They clearly corrupted the referee. How can this happen at this day and age of technological advance ?pic.twitter.com/CJJTSYpP6j
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt)Dear ,
Qatar robbed India's spot for FIFA World Cup by cheating openly
It's clearly visible that ball has crossed the line for a goal-kick, but the nasty Qataris pull it back to tuck in.
It's not a legal Goal.
We want a Rematch with Cheaterspic.twitter.com/1z602owj5F
Shame on Qatar and shame on Refrees.
Qatar blatantly cheated to defeat India 2-1 in World Cup qualifiers.
The ball clearly crossed the line, Qatar player pulled the ball back and referee calls It Goal.pic.twitter.com/TaYSJdsUhZ
FIFA Rank 34th Qatar, robbed 121nd ranked India of a football world cup qualification with this goal that was noting but blatant .
They would’ve still qualified without this goal 😒
What a beautiful game indeed pic.twitter.com/MSeJ2EwBOK
Qatar robbed India's spot for FIFA World Cup by cheating openly
It's clearly visible that ball has crossed the line for a goal-kick but the nasty Qataris pull it back to tuck in.
CLEARLY NOT A GOAL...!!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/MCYPAqRrpP
This is clear cheating by the Qatar team.
In the match against India, the football referee awarded a goal to Qatar, but it was evident that there was clear cheating.
pic.twitter.com/SFHvn4Q7R1
What kind of jihad is this? 34th ranked Qatar robbed 121st ranked India's chance to qualify for the FIFA WC by cheating. Even a blind person could tell that the ball went outside before going into the goal post, but the match referee couldn't pic.twitter.com/7sJHDiSgXs
— Meme Farmer (@craziestlazy)WTH! This is NOT acceptable. The ball was outside the line and still Qatar scored the Goal. Bad luck for India.
pic.twitter.com/dyxLC3ACr0
FIFA REFEREES ARE ALWAYS AGAINST INDIAN FOOTBALL TEAM🙏🏻
They literally helped Qatar like football giant to robbed a goal against India, broke their confidence & belief and blue tigers couldn't qualify for the next round.
No sportsmanship❌
Indian football fans are absolutely in… pic.twitter.com/VumS5l99lO
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