Watch.. Was the police goal against Al-Ittihad correct? | sports

The Iraqi police’s second unaccounted goal against Al-Ittihad in the third round of the AFC Champions League for Elite Football sparked widespread controversy among the fans of the Iraqi team.

In the 37th minute of the first half, Senegalese international police player Dominique Mendy shot a ball with his left hand that hit the crossbar and then touched the goal line, and the Iraqi team players thought the ball had crossed the final goal line.

After consulting the VAR technique, the Emirati referee decided to continue playing, noting that the ball did not cross the line in its entire circumference.

In the same context, former international referee Nasser Sadiq explained in a statement to Al Jazeera Net that the Emirati referee’s decision is unambiguous according to the law and said, “The ball must cross, in its entire circumference, the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar for the goal to be counted. Even if very small parts of the ball remain on the line, it is not considered a goal.”

Regarding the referee not watching the controversial clip on the VAR screen, Nasser Sadiq said, “The referee did not review the video technology because the decision depends on measurement and not on the referee’s judgment.”

Goal-line technology is used in many tournaments to assist in decision-making, and it relies on electronic devices to determine whether the ball has completely crossed the line or not.

Do you think the ball crossed the goal line completely?

The referee’s decision after reviewing the VAR: The ball did not cross the goal line#AFC_Champions_League_for_the_elite | #Union_Police pic.twitter.com/dVeSX4D9rW

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) October 20, 2025