This isn’t the first time this World Cup that this has happened
Remember back in the group stages when England annihilated Panama 6-1? After one of Harry Kane’s two converted penalties in the game, the World Cup debutants attempted to fire back immediately.
While the England players were still celebrating, one Panamanian player chanced his arm. The man whose name everyone has forgotten picked the ball out of the net and sprinted towards the centre-circle. He proceeded to kick-off, in the hope of catching the opposition out.
Obviously, they were stopped in their tracks by the referee.
They weren’t however, the only country at this summer’s World Cup to seemingly misinterpret FIFA’s rules around kick-offs. Social media has pointed out how England and Portugal both appeared to deliberately make sure at least one of their players remained on the pitch when goal celebrations left the field of play. It was claimed in the days after each incident that this had to happen to prevent the opposition restarting play.
Even though such theories don’t appear to stand up to FIFA’s rules, it seems plenty of the players involved in the tournament are under the impression play can be restarted if all their opponent’s outfield players are off the pitch.
Seconds after Mario Mandzukic had landed what proved to be the knockout blow to England’s World Cup hopes, Gareth Southgate’s men also tried it, restarting play while Croatia’s players celebrated off the field.
While the eventual victors were letting it all out, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard kicked off.
Rashford played a short one to Lingard who knocked it forward into space.
The Manchester United duo took off towards the Croatian goal.
Rashford almost made it into the box before the man in the middle noticed what was happening.
The referee blew his whistle sharply and they had to retake the kick-off.
Football refused to come home.
