Gary Neville dubbed the choice to award England a first-half penalty towards the Netherlands of their Euro 2024 semi-final ‘an absolute shame’.
The Three Lions discovered themselves trailing to a surprising early Xavi Simons purpose in Dortmund, however responded positively. A Bukayo Saka cross within the 14th minute was volleyed over the bar by Harry Kane , with Denzel Dumfries making an attempt to dam the shot and connecting with the England skipper.
After being directed to go to the monitor by his VAR, Euro 2024 referee Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot after deeming Dumfries’ contact to be a foul.
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The choice was rapidly criticised by followers and pundits alike, however Kane wasted no time in changing the spot kick to stage the match towards the Netherlands . The rating remained 1-1 at half-time and there was just one matter up for dialog through the break.
“Look, as a defender I feel it’s an absolute shame,” former England right-back Gary Neville exclaimed on ITV. “I feel it’s a fully disgraceful resolution.
“To have that given towards me as a penalty at any time, however in a recreation of such significance. I used to be fuming with the one the opposite week, the Denmark one, the handball, that was a shame as properly, I used to be offended by that one.
“I’ve to say, he simply goes in naturally simply to attempt to block the shot. it’s not a penalty for me, it’s nowhere close to a penalty. I’ve to say I don’t suppose there have been many England gamers claiming for it both.
“Harry clearly stayed down, he received a bit of little bit of a faucet on his foot, nevertheless it’s by no means a penalty for me. However clearly you’re taking your luck England have performed very well that first half.”
Ian Wright was available alongside Neville to offer the attitude from a former striker’s perspective, saying: “Gary, I feel whenever you have a look at the best way that penalties are given now, and the best way the sport is and when issues go to VAR, that was reckless.
“The way in which he’s challenged. That’s why he’s given it. We’ve received VAR, we’ve received the whole lot. If that’s wherever else on the pitch you get a foul for it.”
Ian Wright and Gary Neville disagreed over the incident (Picture credit score: Alamy)
A back and forth ensued, with Neville saying: “We’re all going mad. All of us don’t know what a penalty is. If somebody thinks that’s reckless then actually… we’ve conditioned ourselves now within the recreation the place we predict that’s reckless and we predict that’s a penalty, actually, that isn’t a penalty.”
Undeterred, Wright continued along with his argument: “In case you put that within the midfield, his studs are up, it’s smooth, you’ll be able to say no matter you need, however his studs are up, these are given as penalties now,” he mentioned earlier than Neville had his ultimate say on the incident.
“I feel within the field there’s a bit of little bit of licence for a defender to go along with honesty and block the shot,” he concluded. “There’s received to be a bit of little bit of licence to dam the shot, in any other case you’re by no means going to dam a shot.”
Simons had put the Netherlands 1-0 up earlier within the recreation (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
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