Molde FK files protest over disallowed goal against Lillestrøm

Molde FK is lodging a formal protest following a controversial decision during their match against Lillestrøm. The dispute centers on a late goal attempt by substitute Victor Bender, which was stopped on the goal line by Lillestrøm goalkeeper Pontus Dahlberg.

Molde coach Sindre Tjelmeland expressed intense frustration, describing the officiating as a “referee scandal” and stating that the ball appeared clearly over the line. While Molde players and staff maintain the ball was in, referee Espen Eskås and NFF referee manager Terje Hauge explained that VAR could not confirm with 100 percent certainty that the entire ball had crossed the line.

Molde sports director Ole Jakob Strandhagen noted that while the protest may be symbolic, the club is using the incident to advocate for better goal-line technology in the Eliteserien, as the current VAR setup lacked the necessary angles to provide a definitive ruling.