The referee of the Croatia–Portugal match returns home

Croatia’s disallowed goal to make it 2:2 in the 103rd minute against Portugal caused quite a stir.

Joshko Gvardiol’s goal was disallowed for offside, and Portugal advanced to the Round of 16 of the World Cup.

Many disputed the decision by Norwegian referee Espen Eskas, who will no longer officiate at this World Cup.

The decision may be related to what happened in the match between Croatia and Portugal, the Croatian outlet “Sportske novosti” has reported.

According to this outlet, head of referees Pierluigi Collina was unhappy with the penalty awarded to Portugal in that match. Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty to make it 1:1.

However, there are also other explanations for why Norwegian referee Eskas has returned home.

Norway has qualified for the Round of 16, and there are not many matches in which Eskas could have officiated.