English referee and VAR team criticised after Euro 2024 controversy

• The Netherlands and France drew 0-0 in Euro 2024 Group D on Friday night
• Dutch winger Xavi Simons had a goal disallowed by the English team of officials
• LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Why England’s Kyle Walker ISN’T among the elite

Gary Lineker and Wayne Rooney criticised the decision to disallow Netherlands star Xavi Simons’ strike during the 0-0 draw with France at Euro 2024.

The game ended 0-0 – the first goalless draw of the tournament – despite France dominating the contest in terms of possession and chances.

But the Dutch side will feel that they could, or perhaps should, have won the game after Simons beat France keeper Mike Maignan with a sweet low strike from 15 yards midway through the second half.

One of the assistant referees immediately flagged for offside as Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries was deemed to be interfering with play.

The match was then delayed for well over two minutes as the VAR team sought to conclude whether that was the correct decision. In the end, they concluded that it was. But many viewers – including ex-England captain Rooney, Lineker and Alan Shearer – disagreed.

The goal was ruled out because of an offside call against Dutch right back Dumfries, who did not touch the ball during the attacking phase.

But the officials deemed that Dumfries had been interfering with play because he was stood in a position that made it harder for Maignan to get to Simons’ shot.

Rooney, who was part of BBC Sport’s punditry team on Friday, said: ‘I think it’s a goal. There’s no way that should be disallowed.’

Former England striker Gary Lineker seemed to agree and suggested that Maignan was ‘not impeded’, adding: ‘If he dived, he’d just about reach him.’

Alan Shearer was frustrated about how long it took the officials to reach their decision, while Lineker, Rooney and ex-Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas all thought that referee Taylor should have been sent to the monitor.

Fabregas said: ‘I question a bit the referee there. The VAR should have called him to check the screen.’

Lineker claimed that Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman was ‘right to be frustrated’ and that it was ‘strange’ that the referee did not go to monitor.

Rooney concluded: ‘If you go to the monitor, it’s his own opinion. Onside, that’s a goal.’

The draw effectively secures the Netherlands and France’s spots in the knockout round.

Both sides have four points from their opening two matches.