Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman criticizes Video Assistant Referees (VAR) system after a controversial penalty decision in Euro 2024 semi-final defeat to England.
England’s Harry Kane scored a penalty in Prague, after a VAR review determined he was fouled by Netherlands’ Denzel Dumfries, reversing initially the referee’s decision.
Kane’s shot on goal was obstructed by Dumfries, leading to a penalty decision that allowed England to equalize, cancelling out the Netherlands’ early lead.
In a post match conference, Koeman strongly disagreed with the VAR-influenced penalty decision, stating it broke proper football and should not have been a penalty.
“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.”
Despite Netherlands’ efforts to regain momentum, substitute Ollie Watkins sealed England’s victory with a dramatic 90th-minute winner, sending the Three Lions through to the final where they will face Spain.