VAR

HARRY KANE was gifted a penalty by controversial referee Felix Zwayer.If England had been on the receiving end of that decision, we would have been absolutely fuming.Harry Kane controversially won a penalty after being caught by Denzel DumfriesCredit: EPAFelix Zwayer, who had previously been banned for match-fixing, awarded the penaltyCredit: RexKane duly converted the spot kickCredit: AFPOllie Waktins netted a late winnerCredit: GettyGareth Southgate celebrated as England made their second straight Euros final under his leadershipCredit: APThe German official, previously banned for six months for his part in  a match-fixing scandal, should not have been sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR chief Bastian Dankert.Both Denzel Dumfries and Kane had their feet in the air as England’s captain got his shot away.It was just a clash of legs and certainly NOT a ‘clear and obvious error’.Once Zwayer went over to the monitor, we knew what was going to happen.He is an excellent referee but we have seen that none of the officials seem mentally tough enough to stick with their original call.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLI know some people will argue Dumfries was late to the tackle and it would have been a free-kick elsewhere on the pitch.But it is a contact sport and it’s natural that there will be a coming together in instances like that.Aside from the penalty award, Zwayer had a good game.There were fears decisions would go against England because of Jude Bellingham’s previous comments about Zwayer.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBellingham was fined £34,000 in 2021 for blaming Zwayer and his match-fixing past for Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.But Zwayer was right to caution Bellingham for his reckless challenge on Stefan de Vrij in the second half.Gary Neville fumes ‘it’s a disgrace’ at England penalty decision as Man Utd legend admits referee ‘offended’ himEngland ratings vs HollandENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.Jordan Pickford: 7Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.Kyle Walker: 7Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.John Stones: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.Bukayo Saka: 7Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.Declan Rice: 6Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.Kobbie Mainoo: 8Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.Kieran Trippier: 6We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.Phil Foden: 7The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.Jude Bellingham: 5Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.Harry Kane: 6Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.  More

FANS have changed their tune on referee Felix Zwayer after he awarded England a controversial penalty against the Netherlands.Harry Kane was caught late in the box by Denzel Dumfries after taking a shot at goal.Harry Kane was caught late in the area after taking a shotCredit: GettyReferee Felix Zwayer initially failed to award the penaltyCredit: AFPBut he overturned his decision after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitorThere was clear contact made on Kane’s foot after his shotCredit: ReutersHis strike blazed over the crossbar as the England captain fell to the ground clutching his foot.There was contact made but the referee initially failed to award a penalty.However he was advised to review the incident on the VAR monitor and reversed his decision after watching the foul back multiple times.But some fans were still surprised to see the spot-kick given and quickly showed their appreciation for Zwayer.READ MORE ON EURO 2024One supporter reacted saying: “Love this ref – never in doubt.”Another added: “Love this dodgy ref to be honest 😂”A third wrote: “I obviously love it but that is never ever ever a pen 😂😂😂”Shock it’s the ref that’s corrupt. Thank god it’s for us.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland’s controversial penaltyBy Mark HalseyHARRY KANE was gifted a penalty by controversial referee Felix Zwayer.If England had been on the receiving end of that decision, we would have been absolutely fuming.The German official, previously banned for six months for his part in a match-fixing scandal, should not have been sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Bastian Dankert.Both Denzel Dumfries and Kane had their feet in the air as England’s captain got his shot away.It was just a clash of legs and certainly NOT a ‘clear and obvious error’.Once Zwayer went over to the monitor, we knew what was going to happen.He is an excellent referee but we have seen that none of the officials seem mentally tough enough to stick with their original call.I know some people will argue Dumfries was late to the tackle and it would have been a free-kick elsewhere on the pitch.But it is a contact sport and it’s natural that there will be a coming together in instances like that.Aside from the penalty award, Zwayer had a good game.There were fears decisions would go against England because of Jude Bellingham’s previous comments about Zwayer.Bellingham was fined £34,000 in 2021 for blaming Zwayer and his match-fixing past for Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.But Zwayer was right to caution Bellingham for his reckless challenge on Stefan de Vrij in the second half.Zwayer was charged with match fixing in 2006England ratings vs HollandENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.Jordan Pickford: 7Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.Kyle Walker: 7Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.John Stones: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.Bukayo Saka: 7Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.Declan Rice: 6Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.Kobbie Mainoo: 8Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.Kieran Trippier: 6We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.Phil Foden: 7The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.Jude Bellingham: 5Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.Harry Kane: 6Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke. ITV pundit Gary Neville criticised the decision, calling it a “disgrace”.He said: “I think it’s an absolute disgrace. It’s an absolutely disgraceful decision, To have that given against me as a penalty at any time, but in a game of such importance.Beers go flying at Boxpark as Harry Kane levels semi final vs Netherlands from penalty spot”He goes in naturally just to try and block the shot. It’s not a penalty it’s nowhere near a penalty and I have to say I don’t think there were many England players claiming for it either.”It’s never a penalty but you take your luck.”It is a big change of heart from the England faithful, many of whom bemoaned the decision to appoint him for this match because of his chequered past.The German official was banned from football for six months back in 2005 due to his involvement in a huge scandal.Zwayer, who then worked as a linesman, accepted a £253 (€300) bribe from ref Robert Hoyzer to help him fix a second division match.After his comeback, Zwayer was promoted to a Bundesliga official in 2009 and he has since been slammed by Jude Bellingham.While playing for Borussia Dortmund, the England midfielder raged following a defeat to Bayern Munich as the Bavarians were awarded a controversial penalty for handball three years ago.Bellingham said in a post-match interview: “For me it wasn’t a penalty. Hummels is not even looking at the ball and he’s fighting to get it. It hits him, I don’t think he’s looking at the ball.”You can look at a lot of the other decisions in the game.READ MORE SUN STORIES”You give a referee that has, you know, match fixed before, the biggest game in Germany – what do you expect?”The penalty had a crucial impact on the game as Ollie Watkins struck a last-gasp winner to hand England a 2-1 victory and a place in the final. More

JOACHIM ANDERSEN has blasted “brain dead” Michael Oliver for “one of the worst refereeing performances” he has ever seen.The Denmark defender saw a goal ruled out for the tightest of offsides before, minutes later, conceding an incredibly harsh penalty for handball in the 2-0 defeat to Germany.Joachim Andersen ripped into Stuart Attwell after Denmark’s defeat to GermanyCredit: X / HaytersTVThe Danish defender had a goal disallowed before harshly conceding a penaltyCredit: APThe star blasted ‘brain dead’ Oliver and said it was ‘one of the worst refereeing performances’ he has ever seenCredit: AFPAndersen’s goal, which would have put the Dane’s 1-0 up against the hosts, was chalked off by the semi-automated offside technology with team-mate Thomas Delaney’s toes in an offside position.Minutes later, at the other end, play was pulled back after Uefa’s new “snickometer” and English VAR Stuart Attwell showed that the ball had grazed the Crystal Palace man’s hand from David Raum’s cross and a spot kick was given.Kai Havertz netted for Germany and they did not look back.Andersen raged: “It’s one of the worst refereeing performances I’ve seen in my career.READ MORE ON EURO 2024″Offside is offside, but that you can rule on the ball in such a situation is absolutely crazy.”I had it in a natural position, so no penalty can ever be awarded. They told us that in black and white.”That he then goes out and judges it handball – an English referee even – is completely brain dead.”For me it is never a pen, they come every season to describe the rules for us.Most read in Euro 2024″For two years now that would never be a pen, in the Premier League in the last two years there is not one situation where the referee has given a pen. Horrible decision.”Asked if he had discussed the decision with ref Oliver, Andersen said: “You can’t speak to the ref nowadays.”We must not talk to him. We get fines and red cards.”Just say one little thing and it’s: ‘Boom, yellow card.’ It’s a ridiculous rule.”He can make all the mistakes he wants and we must not say anything.”Of course you react when the referee makes a wrong decision. And I don’t know how many of them he made in this match.”In the Premier League, Oliver would not have been expected to give a spot kick for a similar incident, though Uefa are far more strict when it comes to handball.It is not the first time English refs have been in the spotlight in Germany, however. Attwell and Anthony Taylor were criticised by Uefa for the time taken to make a decision on Xavi Simons’ disallowed goal for Netherlands against France, despite reaching the correct decision.Former Leicester goalkeeper and Denmark captain, Kasper Schmeichel, added: “I’ve played the game for over 20 years I don’t know the handball rules anymore, it is very subjective.”It depends on who the ref or VAR is, it makes it difficult to know what is what.”I am not sure what he is supposed to do with his arm in that situation when you are running and it is hit at you from a yard or so.”I would say that is a natural position when you are running but they thought different.”Brentford’s Christian Norgaard said: “I’ve had Michael a few times in the Premier League and I’ve always seen him as a very good referee, he’s always been at the highest level, but I think even he would admit that this game that today was a doubtful performance.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I get it, like us as players also have doubtful performances now and then.”It felt like he had to make up one mistake with another mistake, another mistake, another mistake. It was just like that throughout the whole game.” More

KASPER SCHMEICHEL raged at VAR after Denmark’s elimination from Euro 2024 yesterday.The Danes thought they had taken the lead against hosts Germany after a shock Joachim Andersen opener.Schmeichel slammed VAR after the gameCredit: XJoachim Andersen’s opener was ruled out after Thomas Delaney was found to be marginally offside in the buildupCredit: GettyVAR images showed how tight the call wasCredit: XAndersen had the ball kicked at him from close rangeBut the goal was ruled out for a fractional offside for Thomas Delaney in the build-up.Their misery was then compounded immediately when a penalty was awarded down the other end for an Andersen handball.The handball didn’t look immediately obvious but VAR stepped in and summoned Michael Oliver to the monitor.He then gave a penalty for Germany which Kai Havertz converted to make it 1-0, and Jamal Musiala added Germany’s second with just over 20 minutes to go.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe famous ‘snickometer’ was used to show the ball had struck Andersen’s hand after it was blasted at him from close range by Florian Wirtz.Speaking after the game, Schmeichel, 37, was asked to sum up his feelings and said: “It’s a mixture of disappointment, anger, rage, a bit of everything at the moment.When asked to expand, he referred to the VAR decisions and said: “This is football nowadays, I’ve played football 23 years and still don’t know the rules yet.He was especially aggrieved about the penalty decision and said: “I’m not sure what a player is meant to do when he is running, and the ball is whacked at his hand from a yard away.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERS”Not really sure what he’s supposed to do with his arm but there was definitely a sense that the margins were on their side today.”He then said: “I’m not sure football and common sense go together anymore.”Kasper Hjulmand post match interview – Germany v Denmark Euro 2024Crystal Palace defender Andersen could not contain his frustration after the game either, saying: “It was crazy and not a penalty at all. I can’t run around with my arms behind my back and play football. “He’s half a metre away from me and hits the ball on my hand, so I can’t see what I could do to prevent it.”And Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand fumed: “It was decided by VAR decisions. I have a photo here, It was one centimetre (the offside).“It doesn’t make sense. This is not how we are supposed to be using VAR. It’s one centimeter.I’m not sure football and common sense go together anymoreKasper Schmeichel“Then there was the penalty. I’m so tired of the ridiculous handball rules.“We can’t require our defenders to be running with their hands by their sides. It’s not natural.“Joachim was running normally. He jumps up and he is hit from one metre. I rarely talk about these decisions.“But they were decisive for this game. It’s frustrating. Being in front 1-0 would have changed everything for our team.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe game was also paused in the first-half due to a thunderstorm, in unusual scenes in Germany.Players were rushed off the pitch after a tremendous lightning strike saw the heavens open with heavy rain.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More