Heartbreak for Milan teenager Francesco Camarda as goal ruled out but he still sets record

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan teenager Francesco Camarda thought he had become the youngest Champions League goalscorer in history. But then the VAR intervened.

The 16-year-old Camarda threw off his jersey in celebration as he wheeled away after heading in a Tijjani Reijnders cross late on in Milan’s match against Club Brugge on Tuesday. He then stood in front of the Milan fans with his hands cupped to his ears before being hoisted onto his teammates' shoulders.

Camarda’s mother and his girlfriend were shown in the stands wiping away their tears.

However, the goal was then ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside.

“It was emotional, I think the best feeling of my life but then the VAR played a trick on me,” Camarda said after the match. “I’m really disappointed but these are things that happen, especially in modern day soccer.”

Camarda would have become the youngest Champions League scorer at 16 years and 226 days. The is held by Ansu Fati, who was 17 years and 40 days when he netted for Barcelona against Inter Milan in 2019.

Instead, he had to settle for just the one record: becoming the youngest Italian debutant in the competition when he was brought on in the 75th minute as the San Siro crowd chanted his name.

“The record gives me a lot of pride, honestly, but now it pushes me to give more to improve and ensure that these nights happen more often,” said Camarda, who added that it was “absolutely” the best night of his career.

He was fiercely hugged by his father pitchside after the match, which Milan won 3-1.

Camarda — who is considered one of Italy’s brightest prospects — holds the record for the youngest player in Serie A history, set when he played against Fiorentina last season aged just 15.

He had played only one other match for Milan, also last season.

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AC Milan's head coach Paulo Fonseca, center, talks to Francesco Camarda after the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calani)

AC Milan's Francesco Camarda celebrates after scoring a goal that was later disallowed, during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

AC Milan's Francesco Camarda heads the ball to score a disallowed goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calani)

AC Milan's Francesco Camarda, bottom, reacts after the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calani)

AC Milan's Francesco Camarda celebrates after scoring a goal that was later disallowed, during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between AC Milan and Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Groups in Russia created and helped spread viral disinformation targeting Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, a senior U.S. intelligence official said Tuesday.

The content, which includes baseless accusations about the Minnesota governor's time as a teacher, contains several indications that it was manipulated, said the official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Analysts identified clues that linked the content to Russian disinformation operations, said the official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the office of the director.

Digital researchers had already linked the video to Russia, but Tuesday’s announcement is the first time federal authorities have confirmed the connection.

The disinformation targeting Walz is consistent with Russian disinformation seeking to undermine the Democratic campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz, her running mate. Russia also has spread disinformation aimed at stoking discord and division ahead of voting, officials said, and may seek to encourage violent protests after Election Day.

Last month, analysts at Microsoft revealed that a viral video that baselessly claimed Harris left a woman paralyzed in a hit-and-run accident 13 years ago was Russian disinformation. More recently, a video surfaced featuring a man claiming to be a former student of Walz's who accused the candidate of sexual misconduct years ago. Private researchers at firms that track disinformation, including NewsGuard, already have concluded the video was fake and that the man in the footage isn't who he claimed to be.

The Associated Press contacted a former employer of the man whose identity was used in the video. The employer, Viktor Yeliohin, confirmed the man shown in the video was an impostor.

Some researchers have also suggested the video may contain evidence that it was created using artificial intelligence, but federal officials stopped short of the same conclusion, saying only that the video contained multiple indications of manipulation.

China and Iran also have sought to influence the U.S. election using online disinformation. While Russia has targeted the Democratic campaign, Iran has gone after Republican Donald Trump with disinformation as well as hacking into the former president's campaign. China, meanwhile, has focused its influence efforts on down-ballot races, and on general efforts to sow distrust and democratic dissatisfaction.

There is no indication that Russia, China or Iran are plotting significant attacks on election infrastructure as a way to disrupt the outcome, officials said Tuesday.

Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has said improvements to election security mean there is no way any other foreign adversary will be able to alter the results.

Russia, China and Iran have all rejected claims that they are seeking to meddle with the U.S. election. Messages left with the Russian embassy seeking comment on the Walz video were not immediately returned Tuesday.

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Associated Press writer Melissa Goldin contributed to this report from New York.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a campaign event, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Warren, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)