The International Football Federation (FIFA) has removed all doubt, confirming for the second time the validity of England's equalizer against Norway in the quarter-final match of the 2026 World Cup, categorically denying claims that the ball hit the spider cam cable.

FIFA revealed in statements to the German website 'Sportschau' that a precise technical analysis of the spider cam footage 'clearly shows that the camera was not shaking or moving' during the English attack that resulted in the goal.

The international federation also refuted claims that the electronic chip embedded in the ball might have lost its signal while in the air, confirming that the sensor continued to transmit data normally without any interruption.

Norway's coach, Ståle Solbakken, had sparked controversy after the 2-1 defeat, asserting that the ball struck one of the camera cables hanging above the pitch after a goal kick by goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, causing it to change direction before reaching Anthony Gordon, setting up Jude Bellingham to score the equalizer.

Solbakken said in angry remarks: 'The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed direction,' in a clear reference to his objection to the goal being awarded.

But FIFA responded firmly in its official statement, explaining: 'The sensor in the ball showed no abnormal vibration or signal while it was in the air, therefore there is no evidence that the ball touched the overhead cable and changed its trajectory.'

This dual confirmation from the international federation comes in an attempt to end the controversy sparked by the match, especially after rising Norwegian criticism demanding a review of the result or at least an admission of a technical error that affected the course of the match.