The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has filed a complaint with the match commissioner, requesting an investigation into a controversial goal awarded to Qatar during their crucial World Cup qualifying match in Doha.
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According to AIFF sources, they have demanded a “thorough investigation into the goal” that was allowed by South Korean referee Kim Woo-Sung, despite the ball clearly going out of play. India lost the match 1-2 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday.
AIFF Writes To Authorities For Investigation On Qatar’s Controversial Goal
“We have lodged a complaint with the match commissioner and are seeking a thorough investigation into the whole thing,” said an AIFF official.
The goal caused widespread outrage as it cost India their first-ever chance to advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the 2026 edition.
Iran’s Hamed Momeni served as the match commissioner for the game, a role that involves overseeing the organization of the match and ensuring adherence to FIFA regulations.
In the 73rd minute, Abdullah Alahrak’s free-kick led to Yousef Ayem attempting a header, which was saved by India’s captain and goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. As Sandhu lay on the ground, the ball rolled over the line, and Hashmi Hussein kicked it back into play, allowing Aymen to score.
Since the ball had clearly rolled out of play, the game should have stopped and resumed with a corner kick, as Sandhu was the last player to touch the ball before it went out. However, to the frustration of the Indian players, the referee awarded the goal to Qatar, and despite vehement protests from the visiting team, the on-field official upheld his decision.
According to the rule, “the ball is out of play if it has wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air.” India coach Igor Stimac later expressed his disappointment, stating that the “irregular” goal dashed his team’s hopes.
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