The Polish Football Association (PZPN) confirmed that VAR referees made an error by failing to draw a correct offside line for Darko Czurlinow's opening goal in Pogoń Szczecin's Ekstraklasa match against Motor Lublin. Pogoń Szczecin led 2-0 at half-time and won the match 3-1 after the goal stood in the 17th minute.
Sport.pl journalist Filip Macuda reported that Dimitrios Keramitsis passed the ball to Czurlinow, who tapped it from close range past Motor Lublin goalkeeper Mihai Popa. Although Czurlinow appeared to be offside during the play, the VAR team checked the incident and allowed the goal.
PZPN referee committee analysis
An analysis published by the PZPN Referees Committee stated that the VAR referee had to set the offside line based on the position of the ball. The heading player was airborne during the jump, which made it difficult for officials to evaluate the location of the ball relative to the goalscorer. The VAR officials drew the line and chose not to intervene, confirming the goal as valid.
The bureau of the PZPN Referees Committee later verified the drawn lines, confirmed that the referees made a mistake, and stated the goal should have been cancelled for offside. PZPN also published a freeze frame showing the offside position.
Łukasz Kuźma served as the VAR referee for the match, supported by Paweł Sokolnicki as assistant VAR, while Szymon Marciniak was the main referee on the pitch.
