Netherlands' defender #04 Virgil Van Dijk (L) reacts as German referee Felix Zwayer gestures a decision during the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final football match between the Netherlands and England at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund on July 10, 2024. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Holland were the victims of some incredible decisions as England marched on less than gloriously to the final of the European Championships against Spain on Sunday.
The Dutch turned in a sub-standard performance but that doesn’t mean that they are less entitled to having the Laws of the Game applied in your matches.
Xavi Simons gave them the lead in the ninth minute but nine minutes later the VAR team and referee Felix Zwayer contrived to award England a penalty to draw level.
Harry Kane’s follow through took his foot into Denzel Dumfries with the England skipper rolling around in the penalty are looking for attention.
It was the sort of incident seen in every match but after a pause the German officials called for a VAR review with the inevitable consequences.
As the clip below highlights there was a handball from Bukayo Saka in the lead up to the penalty incident that was overlooked.
Not only was VAR not in position under guidelines to tell ref to look at monitor for Kane penalty, it also neglected to rewind two seconds to show Saka handballing it into his path. I really don’t think pros looking at TV can be that incompetent. Stinks. #england #netherlands pic.twitter.com/fYZExwJnTK
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) July 10, 2024
After the match Dutch boss Ronald Koeman made his feelings clear:
In my opinion it should not have been a penalty. He kicked the ball and the boots touched. I think that we cannot play proper football and this is due to VAR. It really breaks football.
With two minutes left to play John Stones headed out for a corner, for whatever reasons Zwayer awarded a goal kick and booked Virgil van Dijk for questioning his decision. Within a minute England scored their winning goal.
Van Dijk and Koeman are likely to be very direct with their follow up comments later today.
If these things even themselves out there will be a trophy parade through Madrid on Monday evening.
Can this really be true?
A convicted match-fixer was allowed to referee the England game?Oh football. Why do we bother? https://t.co/9WEetjyFkR
— Rangers Tax-Case (@rangerstaxcase) July 10, 2024
CONFIRMED: Felix Zwayer will referee the semi-final between Netherlands and England.
He served a six-month ban for a match-fixing incident in Germany. pic.twitter.com/kMhKM3b5hd
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) July 8, 2024
Lol oh how the klan klub would love to see him join their brothers in Scotland as part of that Lanarkshire refs set up,he would fit right in there.
Holland were powder puff up front…didn’t deserve to win game…UNFORTUNATELY..! Telly presenters into overdrive already…feckin’ joke.
So, what do you have to do as a referee,
to receive a permanent ban…?
Soft penalty indeed:
outside the box it could have been ‘play on’?
This Photo made my blood curdle. Reminded me of a tyranical, murderous dictator.
“Lower your arm and point to the penalty spot”.