Reason why Switzerland penalty VAR check wasn't shown explained after controversial World Cup clash

The reason why the VAR call for Switzerland's controversial penalty in the 1-1 draw with Qatar wasn't shown on screen has been explained.

On Saturday night, Switzerland got their 2026 World Cup campaign off to a disastrous start as they drew 1-1 with Qatar at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

The Swiss dominated much of the match and could have easily come away with three or four goals, but ultimately relied on an early penalty from Breel Embolo to take away anything from the match.

Referee Said Martinez awarded the penalty after Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada brought down Remon Freuler in the box early in the first half.

However, the moment was arguably the most controversial incident of the World Cup so far, as replays appeared to show that Freuler had strayed offside before the challenge.

Shortly after the first replay was shown, match commentator Lee Dixon said: "There's no doubt about it being a penalty, my arm did go up for the offside. For the run, just there, he's offside. This won't count. He just wandered off. The referee can't see that so points to the spot."

But, after a relatively long check, the penalty was awarded, and Embolo stepped up to the spot before converting the match-winning goal.

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Since then, further freeze frames and angles of the moment have been shared on social media, raising even further questions about why the penalty decision wasn't overturned.

However, while speaking on ITV, FIFA-licensed referee Christina Unkel explained that the new VAR offside technology installed ahead of the World Cup will have been used to verify that Freuler was definitely onside.

She said: "There is not a tolerance built into the system necessarily. However, the technology that's been implemented in this World Cup is at a higher level so it's going to be even sharper and crisper. You are not too far off, it did look like it was offside from our scenario here too.

"But the technology is so advanced, it's going to be able to tell very accurately to the centimetre. So this is a very tight offside, but the technology checked on both, there were two offside interactions."

Unkel added that, once the check was completed, FIFA had no obligation to show the footage verifying the goal, despite the fact that many fans were calling for clarification.

"One of the things that surprises us, with the increased technology and all the players visually 3D-mapped, we thought FIFA would show us these tight calls," she added.

"It would help with fan trust and credibility. They usually only show [those replays] when they change a referee decision, but we have the technology. Why not use the technology they've invested in?"

Gary Neville slams FIFA decision on Switzerland penalty

Despite hearing the explanation, ITV pundit Neville clearly wasn't happy with FIFA's decision, as he slammed the governing body for not clearing up the controversy.

"We all think it here [that it was offside]. Everybody at home thinks it," Neville said.

"FIFA are the host broadcaster and they have the semi-automatic decision that they can show us. There is a massive question over that because it is offside in my eyes until they prove me different.

"Fans are already distrusting of FIFA. Honestly, it's a dictatorship this. The idea that they hold this evidence internally and don't show fans of countries that are playing in these tournaments. Prove to us its offside. Show it to us straight away. Why not the transparency?"

Ian Wright agreed with this sentiment, adding: "They do what they want. They're in the office, seeing it now. It's scandalous."