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      What Premier League laws and rules have changed for the 2024/25 season?

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      THE Premier League returns THIS WEEK as fans gear up for another season of thrilling action.But you will notice some tweaks to the way the game is officiated this term – SunSport details all the changes below.Premier League referees will apply certain rules differently this seasonCredit: ALAMYPremier League rule changes for 2024/25 seasonSubs warming upThis season, Premier League clubs will be allowed to have as many as five players warm up on the perimeter of the pitch during a match at any one time.Last term, teams were only allowed three players warming up on the side of the pitch at once.The change for the coming campaign corresponds with teams being able to make five substitutions at any period.READ MORE IN PREMIER LEAGUEMore players will be allowed to warm up on the side of the pitch this seasonCredit: GETTYMultiballThe Premier League will continue to practice the multiball system in 2024/25, with 15 balls in use to speed up the pace of the game.When the ball goes out of play and it is not quickly retrievable, players must go to the nearest cone to collect a replacement ball and restart play.Previously, ball assistants were not permitted to return a ball directly to a player but return to a vacant cone.Most read in FootballFrom this season, ball assistants that are positioned behind the goals at the end where the ball goes out are allowed to return a ball to the goalkeeper, who will take the restart.If a club’s technical area staff deliberately delay the restart of play by holding on to the ball or kicking the ball away, they will be sent off.Any players in the technical area who do the same will be shown a yellow card.15 balls will be in use during every Premier League matchCredit: REXMore accurate calculation of added timeFrom the 2024/25 campaign, when a goal is scored, match officials will only start adding time on to the end of the match when the delay between the goal and subsequent kick-off exceeds 30 seconds.This change aims to significantly reduce the amount of stoppage time in each game.The Premier League are aiming to reduce the amount of added time at the end of every match this seasonCredit: GETTYWhat football laws have changed ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season?The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have made some changes to the laws of the game ahead of the new Premier League season.Here are all the key law changes that will affect the Premier League:Law 12 – Fouls and MisconductClarification that non-deliberate handball offences for which penalties are awarded are to be sanctioned in the same way as fouls which are an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ballLaw 14 – The Penalty KickClarification that part of the ball must touch or overhang the centre of the penalty markEncroachment by players will be penalised only if it has an impact (same philosophy as goalkeeper encroachment)Will semi-automated offsides be in use during the 2024/25 Premier League season?In April, 2024, Premier League clubs approved unanimously the use of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) for the 2024/25 campaign.The Premier League have stated the plan is to introduce the system after one of the international breaks in September or October – meaning the technology will not be in use for the start of the season.Semi-automated offsides should reduce errors and speed up decisionsCredit: BBCAccording to FIFA, semi-automated offside technology helps them make ‘’faster, more reproducible, and more accurate offside decisions’’.The tech uses 12 tracking cameras mounted underneath the roof of the stadium to track the ball and up to 29 data points of each individual player – calculating their exact position on the pitch, plus a chip in the ball to determine if it was played by a defender or attacker.So, in the case of an offside situation, the video operations room will receive an automated alert alongside an automatically selected point and instant drawn lines within seconds of the incident.Match officials will then have to validate the proposed selected kick point and the drawn offside line before VAR communicates the final decision on the pitch.Extra VAR officials will be in charge of calling offsides, with the algorithm providing a 3D animation to explain a call in an average of 25 seconds.That illustration is then available on the giant screens within the stadium for TV viewers to take a look at in the next stoppage of play.However, complex incidents or multiple incidents that occur at the same time can require a more thorough review of the situation.And in the event that semi-automated offside technology does not work correctly, the video match officials can still use other well-known offside support tools.A change to Premier League team newsIn years gone by, fans of Premier League clubs have expected team news to come exactly one hour before kick off on a matchday.However, for the coming season, the rules have changed to allow all 20 clubs to release their line-ups 75 minutes before the match begins.This change means that top-flight clubs kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday can now release their team sheets at 1.45pm.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis adjustment is a bid to align with rules in Uefa competitions.It is also an attempt to stop leaks in the 15 minutes between the teams being given to the referee and being announced publicly. 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      Watch moment manager is sent off by ref after VAR spots him performing X-rated gesture on touchline

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      A MANAGER was sent off by a referee after VAR spotted him making an X-rated gesture.Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira was given his marching orders in the first half of their second leg match against Flamengo.Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira was sent off following a VAR reviewHe grabbed his crotch as he reacted angrily to a decision made by the refThe referee initially missed the gesture but was told to review the incident on the VAR monitor.And after seeing Ferreira grab his crotch in a provocative manner in reaction to a decision he did not like, ref Anderson Daronco had no option but to send him to the stands.Palmeiras star Gustavo Gómez protested the decision but his complaints fell on deaf ears.The ref showed Ferreira the red card and then announced to the stadium: “Sent off, after review, for making an obscene gesture with his hands.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFerreira’s absence may have had a big impact on his players as although they held out for a 1-0 win, they lost the tie 2-1 on aggregate so crashed out of the Copa do Brazil in the Round of 16.Fans were a little taken aback by the incident with one saying: “You might not like it but this is what peak VAR looks like.”Another added: “Football this year is really strange.”A third wrote: “One of the best moments in the history of Brazilian football.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWho are these famous footballers?And another commented: “Is this serious?”Ferreira has been in charge of Palmeiras since 2020 and led the club to the Serie A title in 2022 and 2023.WWE icon John Cena reveals why Celtic are ‘top of the list’ as he opens up on supporting football club More

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      Rangers’ Champions League clash thrown into chaos as VAR officials arrested by police for ‘stealing ROAD SIGN’

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      THE VAR officials for Rangers’ Champions League clash have reportedly been arrested for stealing a ROAD SIGN just hours before the crucial showdown.The Scottish giants are taking on Dynamo Kyiv in European action tonight in Poland – but there is already controversy before a ball has been kicked.Bartosz Frankowski has been removed as VAR after he ‘stole a road sign’Credit: GettyTomasz Musial has also reportedly been arrestedCredit: GettyExperienced Polish referee Bartosz Frankowski was initially appointed as VAR, with fellow official Tomasz Musial backing him up as assistant VAR.However, both officials have now dramatically been REMOVED from the game after incredible details emerged.TVP Sport are reporting that Frankowski and Musial – and a third individual – were caught allegedly stealing a ROAD SIGN by police in the early hours of the morning.They’re reporting that both officials were arrested at 1.43am for ‘destroying road infrastructure.’The men, who are reported as being intoxicated, were then taken to a sobering-up centre – which will cost them money as police charge for use.This is somewhere used by many places in Europe when the crime is deemed not serious enough to be banged up in a cell.Senior Superintendent Kamil Golebiowski said: “At around 1:40am we received a report of three men carrying a road sign down the street.”Police officers were dispatched to the scene. All of the men were intoxicated and had over 1.5 per milligrams of alcohol in their blood. They were taken to a sobering-up centre.” Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTVP say they approached the head of Polish refereeing for a comment, but he was unaware of the situation and has not made comment.However, both officials have been removed by Uefa for the match.Lionel Messi’s £9million Ibiza mansion vandalised by climate activists as they claim home is ‘illegal’ As always for Uefa matches, the refereeing team was confirmed 48 hours before the match.On Sunday night, Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumsas was confirmed to be leading the officials.Polish officials Frankowski and Musial were listed as his VAR officials.However, neither Frankowski or Musial are listed as part of the officiating team any longer.Instead, fellow top flight Polish ref Tomasz Kwiatkowski is now the VAR, with Pawel Malec his AVAR.Frankowski, 37, is one of the top referees in Poland an experienced international referee.Fifa-listed for ten years, he was an official at both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 – acting as VAR in the latter.WHAT IS A ‘SOBERING-UP CENTRE?POLICE will usually try to return a drunk person home if they are wandering in the streets, as it is not an offence.But if some kind of offence HAS been committed, then law enforcement have the option to take people to a ‘sobering-up centre’ – sometimes known in Europe as a ‘drunk-tank’.In Poland, there are 52 cities that use these, admitting over 300,000 a year.While it may save people from a night in the cells, those admitted have to PAY for attending this centre.And just so those who go there know they’re in trouble, the police will charge them a rate as high as the most expensive hotel in the city.Locals dub these the ‘most expensive hotel in town’. More

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      Top flight match abandoned with flares, tennis balls and FISH CAKES thrown on pitch in furious protest against VAR

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      A TOP-FLIGHT match in Norway was abandoned after furious fans protested against VAR by throwing FISH CAKES onto the field.The game between Rosenborg, who beat Manchester United in a friendly this week, and Lillestrom was only 30 minutes in when the referee decided to call time on proceedings.A match in Norway was abandoned after fans protested VAR by hurling items onto the fieldFlares, tennis balls and fish cakes were chucked down as players twice left the fieldThe ref called time on the match after half an hourSupporters had launched no less than FOUR protests during that time.And items including flares, tennis balls and even fish cakes were hurled onto the pitch in chaotic scenes.The game lasted just two minutes before players were taken off the field as fish cakes were thrown from the stands from both sets of fans.The savoury snacks were quickly picked up by ground staff, allowing the match to resume.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut moments later the Lillestrom fans began to rain down tennis balls and flares on the field, forcing players to return to the dressing room for a second time.They also held up a banner which read: “We never give up. VAR is going away.”Fans from both sides were then warned over the intercom to stop throwing items from the stands.But Lillestrom supporters ignored the orders and pelted the pitch with more tennis balls when the game got underway for a third time.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPlayers stayed on the pitch to clear to offending items.But Rosenborg’s home backers then joined in the protests and also threw tennis balls onto the field.Should VAR be scrapped?Fans from both sides protested FOUR times during the matchIt remains to be seen if Rosenborg and Lillestrom are punished by their national FAThis was a step too far for referee Rohit Saggi, who decided to call the game off completely.And as players left the field for good, Lillestrom fans chanted: “Hate, hate, hate damn VAR.”It now remains to be seen if Rosenborg and Lillestrom are punished by either the Norwegian FA or Fifa.But speaking after the game, visiting boss Andreas Georgson appeared to back the protests by saying: “It is almost historic.“When you are not listened to, civil disobedience is the last resort.”However, Rosenborg manager Alfred Johansson was less impressed.He said: “It’s an annoying feeling, we are all here to play, we are not allowed to do that.“We understand they have their point of view and attitudes, but we are upset we didn’t get to play.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA spokesperson for the Lillestrom supporter’s group added: “I see it as a victory for those who want to abolish VAR. We got the attention we want.“It is surreal we live in a world where Rosenborg and Lillestrom fans agree on something. We are not fans of smoke on the field but we stand with the protests.” More

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      Roy Keane makes shock admission for ‘lawyer’ Christina Unkel as he agrees with ITV’s VAR chief

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      ROY KEANE hilariously agreed with VAR chief Christina Unkel’s assessment of the refereeing standard at Euro 2024… before he claimed she is also a lawyer.Former Fifa official Unkel, 37, has been used as a refereeing and rules expert on ITV’s coverage of the Euros in Germany this summer.Roy Keane poked fun at referee expert Christina Unkel but ultimately agreed with herCredit: ITVUnkel laughed off Keane’s hilarious jibes and praised the level of officiating at Euro 2024Credit: ITVPundits have challenged the American when she has given her opinion on controversial decisions, but she has been widely praised for educating and explaining audiences about certain calls.And even Manchester United legend Keane, 52, who often takes umbrage with referees, sided with Unkel following the conclusion of the Euros on Sunday as she praised the standard of officiating.When ITV presenter Mark Pougatch asked her about the level of refereeing at the tournament, she replied: “There’s been much consistency as we saw there.”High level threshold at the last Euros, same level of threshold this time. Very few game critical decisions we had to talk about.READ MORE ON EURO 2024″Tonight [the final] you saw some of the best refereeing in this tournament with the high level of threshold of refereeing decisions that were made and just allowing the teams to play.”Cutting back to Pougatch, he turned to Keane and said: “I think we agree. Christina’s explained things very well, Roy.”To which the ex-Ireland midfielder brilliantly responded: “First time this tournament I’ve agreed with her. She beat me up a few times with her knowledge.”I never knew she was a lawyer, nobody told me that. You would have saved me a lot of hassle.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAfter Pougatch then joked Keane would be getting a letter through the post from “lawyer” Unkel, Ian Wright finished the segment with a glowing appraisal of the refereeing expert.The Arsenal icon said: “She’s the greatest.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett gives his thoughts on England 2-1 defeat to Spain in Euro 2024 final”She makes everything sound perfect. I’ll believe anything she says.”Maybe Kane really is cursed as trophy drought goes on… he may never get a better chance with EnglandIT now seems as though he really is cursed. Along with the rest of us, writes Charlie Wyett.Tragically, unbelievably, Harry Kane’s agonising search for a trophy still continues and you know have to wonder whether he will ever actually manage it.Certainly for England, in any case.Kane has now suffered defeat in three major club finals and two finals of the European Championships.Last night, the Three Lions captain was so ineffective that he was replaced by Ollie Watkins just after the hour.Like much of this tournament, he really struggled to make the impact when England needed him, not that he had much service.He had one shot in the first half and that was Rodri, who subsequently injured himself and went off at the break.When Cole Palmer struck that brilliant equaliser, Kane was off on his feet from the bench, only for the national team to get another kick in the bo**ocks at the end.Kane was substituted in both the games against Switzerland and Holland which England went on to win but on this occasion, he could only witness a gut-wrenching twist just when it looked as though Gareth Southgate’s team had dug their way out of trouble.The Bayern Munich striker suffered the World Cup 2018 semi-final loss against Croatia, endured heartbreak against Italy in the Euro2020 final and then missed from the spot in the World Cup 2022 quarter-final against France.He really thought that this was his time, even though England did not play well in Germany.Kane will know that he will have more opportunities with England. But not many more.The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico seems a long way away and it will surely be under a new manager. Will England be better than they are now? Probably not.And we are all left to wonder how much better England would have been with a fit and firing Kane at his very best.Read the full verdict on the curse of Harry Kane…Or check out all of Charlie Wyett’s Euro 2024 stories… More

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      The incredibly tight VAR that saw England lose Euro 2024 final to Spain with just centimetres in it

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      SPAIN won Euro 2024 thanks to a VAR decision that went their way with just centimetres in it. England were forced to fight back in Germany after Nico Williams opened the scoring just after the break. Mikel Oyarzabal won Spain Euro 2024This was how close the call wasThe decision went Spain’s wayBut substitute Cole Palmer looked to have put a sensational comeback in motion by curling an equaliser in from outside the box. It was all to play for heading into the final five minutes until Mikel Oyarzabal came off the bench to win the match. He converted an excellent cross from Marc Cucurella to break England hearts.Right away attention quickly turned to VAR because from the naked eye it looked almost impossible to tell if Oyarzabal was offside or not. READ MORE IN football But thanks to Uefa’s technology, it was laid bare just how close the call was with Oyarzabal just centimetres onside. Spain held out and it was a familiar feeling for both sides. England – three years of from shootout defeat to Italy – became the first to lose consecutive Euros finals. Meanwhile, Spain got their hands on the trophy for the third time – with Three Lions skipper Harry Kane still trophyless as a player.Most read in Euro 2024This felt like our time… but keep Gareth’s culture and we can win it in 2026 instead, writes Jack WilshereIT will take a while for me and every England fan to get over this, writes Jack Wilshere.To come so close to winning that trophy, only to be beaten in a second Euros final in a row, is a huge disappointment.Especially when it really felt like this was our time.It seemed that everything was coming together for us to end the long wait for a major title.But Spain deserved it. They were the better team in the final and the best team of the tournament.We will all — supporters, players, coaches, the FA — have to move on and go again.Because English football is still in a good position.Gareth Southgate has taken us to two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final in four tournaments. We have never produced a run like that before.The challenge now is to maintain this level of competitiveness and make England even better.Southgate and his staff have done a fantastic job in changing the whole environment and narrative around the national team.Whether Gareth carries on or not, the wider culture he has put in place must be preserved.This tournament was the biggest test of that culture the team had to go through.They overcame the problems and went all the way, only to fall at the final hurdle.But there is every reason to believe we can challenge at the World Cup in 2026 and beyond.We’ve got a really good group of players, many of them young, who can go on playing and performing for England for years.Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer — to name just five — have plenty more tournaments in them.This tournament will also be an inspiration for the next generations of players. Unfortunately there isn’t the trophy lift to take that to a completely different level.But England have delivered moments in Germany that will be replayed forever.The Bellingham overhead kick and Ollie Watkins’ semi-final winner will be recreated in playgrounds and cages up and down the country.What I would like to see now is England continuing to develop, to become a team that can consistently dominate opponents and can give a real identity to English football.We now have players who are comfortable on the ball and technically very good.The biggest disappointment of the tournament was that we didn’t see that as often as we would have liked. That leaves us with a ‘what if?’ feeling.England must not lose that old-school mentality of finding a way to win even when you’re not playing well — that never-say-die spirit which got us through this Euros more than once.But the next step is to allow other qualities to shine through, to give the players that our system is creating the platform to show  everything they can do.The job for me and for other coaches is to keep producing players that are comfortable on the ball and understand how to perform under pressure at a high level.English football is in a good place but we need to keep going. Then we will finally get over the line.Real all of SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere’s Euro 2024 columns…CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKane told ITV: “It’s hard to put into words how we’re all feeling right now. Tough game. “We did well to get back into the game and struggled to build on that. To concede late on is really tough to take.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett gives his thoughts on England 2-1 defeat to Spain in Euro 2024 finalMaybe Kane really is cursed as trophy drought goes on… he may never get a better chance with EnglandIT now seems as though he really is cursed. Along with the rest of us, writes Charlie Wyett.Tragically, unbelievably, Harry Kane’s agonising search for a trophy still continues and you know have to wonder whether he will ever actually manage it.Certainly for England, in any case.Kane has now suffered defeat in three major club finals and two finals of the European Championships.Last night, the Three Lions captain was so ineffective that he was replaced by Ollie Watkins just after the hour.Like much of this tournament, he really struggled to make the impact when England needed him, not that he had much service.He had one shot in the first half and that was Rodri, who subsequently injured himself and went off at the break.When Cole Palmer struck that brilliant equaliser, Kane was off on his feet from the bench, only for the national team to get another kick in the bo**ocks at the end.Kane was substituted in both the games against Switzerland and Holland which England went on to win but on this occasion, he could only witness a gut-wrenching twist just when it looked as though Gareth Southgate’s team had dug their way out of trouble.The Bayern Munich striker suffered the World Cup 2018 semi-final loss against Croatia, endured heartbreak against Italy in the Euro2020 final and then missed from the spot in the World Cup 2022 quarter-final against France.He really thought that this was his time, even though England did not play well in Germany.Kane will know that he will have more opportunities with England. But not many more.The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico seems a long way away and it will surely be under a new manager. Will England be better than they are now? Probably not.And we are all left to wonder how much better England would have been with a fit and firing Kane at his very best.Read all of Charlie Wyett’s Euro 2024 stories…”We’ve been coming from behind all tournament, we’ve got it in the locker. We didn’t take the next step and win it.”In the first half, we struggled. We couldn’t keep the ball. Second half was better and we got the goal. “We got caught with a cross and that’s the final. It’s an opportunity missed. These finals aren’t easy to get to. “You have to take it when it comes and we haven’t done it again. It’s extremely painful and it’ll hurt for a long time.”Gareth will go away and take time to decide. We wanted to win it for him.”Alvaro Morata leads celebrations for SpainCredit: AFP More

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      Harry Kane’s penalty was a gift from VAR – there’s NO WAY it was a clear and obvious error, says ex-Premier League ref

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      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

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      Gary Neville fumes ‘it’s a disgrace’ at England penalty decision as Man Utd legend admits referee ‘offended’ him

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      GARY NEVILLE slammed the referee over his controversial decision to award England a penalty against the Netherlands.Harry Kane equalised from the spot after being caught late in the box by Denzel Dumfries after blazing his shot over the bar.Harry Kane was awarded penalty after being caught late by Denzel DumfriesCredit: ReutersReferee Felix Zwayer gave the spot-kick after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitorCredit: RexGary Neville fumed over the decisionCredit: ITVReferee Felix Zwayer initially decided not to point to the spot but reversed his decision following a review of the incident on the VAR monitor, much to fans delight.But Neville believes his first call was the correct one and was heavily critical of the decision to award a penalty.He fumed on ITV, saying: “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.”I was fuming with the one the other week. The Denmark one the handball. That was a disgrace as well, I was offended by that one.READ MORE ON EURO 2024″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.”Ian Wright disagreed with his colleague, claiming Dumfries’ challenge was “reckless”.That incensed Neville further who hit back saying: “Reckless?! That is not reckless.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.England’s penalty shootout recordTHE dreaded penalty shootout.England’s nemesis at no fewer than EIGHT major tournaments since 1990, from the West Germany heartache at Italia 90 to Wembley woes on the brink of Euro 2020 final glory.But the perfect shootout win over Switzerland at Euro 2024 gives some reason for optimism…1990 World Cup semi-final vs WEST GERMANY, 04/07/1990 – LOST 4-3Euro 1996 quarter-final vs SPAIN, 22/06/1996 – WON 4-2Euro 1996 semi-final vs WEST GERMANY, 26/06/1996 – LOST 6-5Friendly vs BELGIUM, 29/05/1998 – LOST 4-31998 World Cup last 16 vs ARGENTINA, 30/06/1998 – LOST 4-3Euro 2004 quarter-final vs PORTUGAL, 24/06/2004 – LOST 6-52006 World Cup quarter-final vs PORTUGAL, 01/07/2006 – LOST 3-1Euro 2012 quarter-final vs ITALY, 24/06/2012 – LOST 4-22018 World Cup last 16 vs COLOMBIA, 03/07/2018 – WON 4-3Nations League third-place play-off vs SWITZERLAND, 09/06/2019 – WON 6-5Euro 2020 final vs ITALY, 11/07/2021 – LOST 3-2Euro 2024 quarter-final vs SWITZERLAND, 06/07/24 – WON 5-3OVERALL: Played 12 Won 4, Lost 8EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYEngland 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. “We’re all going mad, we don’t know what a penalty is. We’ve conditioned ourselves now in the game whereby we think that’s reckless and we think that’s reckless.”Honestly that is not a penalty. From agony to ecstasy – England level Euro 2024 semi final against Netherlands – full game fan reactions”I think in the box I think there is a bit of license for a defender to go in with honesty and block the shot.”There has got to be a bit of license otherwise you’re never blocking a shot.”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