The 'PK decision is misjudgment!' former FIFA referee's revelation, Saka handball before Kane was fouled

Jul 11, 2024

"It wasn't supposed to be a penalty kick."

Euro 2024, with only the final remaining, is expected to suffer a setback due to the 'penalty kick misjudgment scandal'. In the semi-final between England and the Netherlands, a decisive penalty call was made to determine the direction of victory or defeat, as there is a lot of criticism over the decision.

The English national soccer team, led by head coach Gareth Southgate, played the semifinals of Euro 2024 against the Netherlands, led by head coach Ronald Koeman, at BVB Stadion Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany on the 11th (Korea time). England defeated the Netherlands 2-1 after a struggle to reach the final. Now, they will face Spain for the championship that they have long aspired to.

However, unlike the joy of the English team, critics continue to point out that the victory over the Netherlands is the result of a misjudgment. Specifically, it was a penalty decision in the 18th minute of the first half when England was trailing 0-1.

On this day, England was pushed by the Netherlands' strong offensive. In the end, he allowed Xavi Simmons to score the first goal in the seventh minute of the first half, allowing a 0-1 lead. England upped their offensive for the equaliser. Eleven minutes later, the chance to tie finally came.

England 'Captain'Dutch Denzel Dumfries' foot went high as Harry Kane made a shot. It was an attempt to block a shot. However, it was pointed out as a foul. Referee Felix Zwire attempted VAR. After looking back on the pitch side on the monitor at the time, he immediately declared a penalty.

Photo =Capture British Press Express homepage article

Kane, who played kicker, scored a goal to make it 1-1. England, who barely turned the balance of the game to square one, made a come-from-behind victory with Ollie Watkins' winning goal in extra time in the second half.

The part that Dutch players and local media point out is the penalty declaration scene. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), a key Dutch defender, said after the game "I don't know what to say. The game is over, but it's hard to accept. I want the referee to come and explain it himself", expressing dissatisfaction with the penalty decision.

In the end, even a former FIFA referee pointed out that the decision was wrong.

British media Metro reported that former FIFA referee Jonas Eriksson said the controversial penalty declaration should not have been made in the first place. Swedish referee Eriksson is a veteran referee who has been refereeing the 2014 Brazil World Cup, the 2013 UEFA Super Cup final, and the 2016 Europa League final.

Metro Article Capture

Former referee Eriksson appeared on Swedish broadcaster STV Sports' game analysis program after the semi-final between England and the Netherlands on the same day and insisted that a penalty should not be declared as it was. That there was a decisive offense before Dumfries blocked Kane's shot, but the referee missed it.

The scene where the ball hits the back of Bukayo Saka's right hand. Capturing SNS Video

Video of the game at the time shows the ball bouncing from the inside of the penalty box before the ball continues to Kane, hitting Bukayo Saka's right hand and flowing. After that, the ball was connected to Kane, and Kane was blocked by Dumfries while trying to shoot.

Former referee Eriksson said `Saka clearly committed a handball foul first, which is why Kane should not be given a penalty"It was certainly nailed. In fact, the scene where the ball hits Saka's hand can be easily found on social media of the game, and it is spreading rapidly among soccer fans. As a result, criticism of England's trip to the finals is growing rapidly.

wman@sportschosun.com