Chess Legend Slams FIFA Over Portugal-Croatia Match: "I Was Also Attacked by a Computer"

Portugal's recent 2-1 victory over Croatia, which secured the national team's spot in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, continues to spark widespread debate. Former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov took to his official X account to heavily criticize the officiating and FIFA's ball-chip technology.

The Russian grandmaster expressed full solidarity with the Croatian delegation after the final whistle. In a post that garnered thousands of reactions, Kasparov wrote: "Tragic, what a way to end. All my sympathy to this phenomenal Croatian team. My own journey was also attacked by a computer!" This immediately references his historic and famous confrontation with the supercomputer Deep Blue in 1997.

At the heart of the controversy is the VAR's decision regarding a potential offside. The play involved a touch from Portuguese international Renato Veiga and Croatian players in the penalty area. The television broadcast used data from the ball's electronic sensor to validate the play, displaying a graphic with only one electromagnetic oscillation. This image generated a strong wave of international protest due to the lack of recorded physical impacts on the ball.

Kasparov shared the analysis of expert Martin Litwak, who questioned the reliability of the wireless sensor embedded in the ball. The chess player went even further in his assessment, pointing fingers at FIFA's lack of transparency. "Even if you have total faith in this technology, that requires having similar faith in the FIFA officials who interpret it and announce the results," the former world champion stated.

The chess legend did not hide his suspicion of alleged favoritism towards the Portuguese team in the tournament taking place in North America. For Kasparov, the circumstances of the decision cast severe doubt on the sporting integrity of the match. "The lack of transparency at every stage makes it hard not to believe it was a blatant robbery to ensure Ronaldo in the next phase," he accused on his official page.

The thinker and political activist emphasized that the introduction of digital tools in the beautiful game could have the opposite effect of what is desired if not properly supervised. "In corrupt bureaucratic systems, from politics to sports, more rules and more technology often serve to provide more opportunities for manipulation," Kasparov concluded. With tempers flaring off the pitch, Portugal remains focused on their decisive Iberian derby against Spain.