Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman was furious at a controversial first-half penalty in their 2-1 loss to England in the Euro 2024 semi-final, accusing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) of “ruining” football.
The equaliser came after 18 minutes and Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries was awarded a penalty after VAR review, leaving the manager infuriated.
Dumfries caught him in the follow-through of his challenge after England's Harry Kane's shot had already cleared the crossbar.
No decision was initially made but then referee Felix Zubaiyar was instructed to review the play with VAR.
After being awarded a penalty, Kane converted to tie the score at 1-1.
Ollie Watkins scored England's winning goal in added time to send the team through to the final.
“It wasn't a penalty,” Koeman told reporters after the match, according to ESPN. “His only intention was to block the shot. Then Harry Kane shot and two feet collided.”
“Football is being destroyed by these kinds of decisions by VAR. This penalty would not have been given in England. What should you do as a defender? I think the referee blew the whistle for a lot of stupid things but that's not why we lost.”
Koeman was not the only one to question the decision, with former England defender Gary Neville also appearing to agree with Koeman's unhappiness with the call.
An ITV analyst called the decision “shameful”.
“It can't be a penalty, he just blocked the shot naturally. For me it's not a penalty,” the player told the network, according to the BBC.
Former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Radio that he did not question the contact but claimed Dumfries was “trying to block the ball”.
“I think Harry Kane's follow-through connected and the turnover is no big deal,” he added.
England will face Spain in the final on Sunday.
