Euro 2024: Players and English pundits agreed the Netherlands were robbed in controversial defeat by England
Dutch players and pundits turned on referee Felix Zwayer after England won the Euro 2024 semi-final 2-1 via a contentious penalty decision.
Virgil van Dijk, the team’s captain, and former striker Pierre van Hooijdonk both launched attacks on Zwayer as recriminations began on Netherlands TV.
Harry Kane’s spot-kick proved the most controversial moment of the match, cancelling out a superb Xavi Simons opener. Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries was dismayed after being adjudged – following a VAR review – to have recklessly challenged Kane as he attempted to block a shot.
Van Dijk and Ronald Koeman both believed the decision was wrong. “The referee ran back inside straight after the full-time whistle, that says a lot,” said the Liverpool defender immediately after the match.
Appearing on Dutch TV station NOS, Van Hooijdonk said: “Felix Zwayer, put him on the black list. The penalty in the first half, the many moments in the second half, these moments have decided the outcome of this game.”
Kane insisted he had deserved his penalty in the 18th minute, saying: “My foot’s hanging off so he caught me! Sometimes you get them sometimes you don’t. I was happy to step up and see that go in the back of the net. It was a nice feeling for sure.”
However, pundits were less convinced. In Telegraph Sport’s live coverage, columnist Jamie Carragher said it was “never a penalty” while Lee Dixon, co-commentating on ITV, said: “I’m pleased, don’t get me wrong but you have to challenge for the ball. I don’t think it’s a penalty but I don’t care.”
Gary Neville and Ian Wright were involved in a heated exchange in the ITV studio at halftime as they disagreed with the decision.
Neville said: “As a defender, I think it’s a disgrace. To give that penalty at any time but in a semi-final. It’s nowhere near a penalty and not many England players were claiming it. You take your luck.”
Wright replied: “That is reckless. His studs are up. They’ve given it – anywhere else on the pitch and it’s a foul.”
But Neville snapped back: “If someone thinks that’s reckless? Honestly that’s not a penalty. There has to be a licence to try and block the shot.” our approach to external linking
