FIFA review clears spidercam of interference in England's opener against Norway

FIFA have concluded that the spidercam cables played no part in England’s controversial opening goal against Norway, with a review of multiple camera angles — including footage shot by the spidercam itself — showing the ball followed a natural flight path throughout.

Norway and goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland had argued that the trajectory of Nyland’s goal kick was altered by contact with the overhead cables, which they claimed allowed Elliot Anderson to collect the ball and feed Anthony Gordon, who then assisted Jude Bellingham’s goal. The complaint prompted FIFA to conduct an in-depth investigation into the incident.

According to the Daily Mail, the governing body examined several different angles of the moment in question. Crucially, the spidercam’s own footage showed no visible wobble in the camera rig — the clearest indicator that the ball made no contact with any cables. FIFA determined there were no grounds to overturn the original on-field decision.

The ruling draws a line under one of the more unusual flashpoints of the tournament. Nyland had been particularly vocal after the match, insisting the altered trajectory was the decisive factor in his kick failing to clear the danger zone. Norway’s objections now appear to have been formally dismissed following the governing body’s review.

England’s goal, and the sequence of play that produced it, therefore stands as legitimate, with FIFA satisfied that the spidercam infrastructure had no bearing on the outcome.