European Championship 2024 - Never a penalty kick: Netherlanders and Brits in agreement on referee Zwayer
Dutch defence chief Virgil van Dijk criticised German referee Felix Zwayer after the Netherlands' bitter EURO exit against England in the last minute. "The fact that he runs directly into the booth says it all," Van Dijk stated in the evening after the 1:2 for the Netherlands against EURO finalist England. The Dutch specifically criticised Zwayer's refereeing in the last minutes.
Even the penalty kick, which Harry Kane converted for the equaliser, caused a stir. "I wouldn't have given the penalty. But ultimately, the VAR (video referee) intervened – and that's something we have to accept," Van Dijk told MagentaTV.
The affected Denzel Dumfries, who had wanted to block Kane's shot but fouled instead, commented: "There's contact with Kane, so you know the referee can give a penalty. I take responsibility for that. We do everything to prevent a goal, but then something like that happens. That's really shit."
Criticism of Felix Zwayer before EURO semi-finals
Zwayer's appointment was met with skepticism in England before the game. During his time at Borussia Dortmund, Jude Bellingham had heavily criticised the 43-year-old following a loss against Bayern Munich. This time, at least Bellingham was satisfied with the penalty decision.
Instead, British experts criticised the decision, despite it favouring the Three Lions. Former national player Gary Neville called the penalty a "disgrace" and added: "A scandalous decision. For an elbow like that to be given a penalty, let alone in such an important game. He goes naturally to head the ball and tries to block the shot. That's never a penalty."
"Never a penalty"
Former national defender Jamie Carragher also joined in. He wrote on X: "Never a penalty." Zwayer had initially refused to give a penalty and later corrected this decision after reviewing the video images.
Harry Kane, the English striker, scored theEqualizer from the controversial penalty awarded by referee Felix Zwayer in the last minutes of the Netherlands vs. England EURO match. Jude Bellingham, who had previously criticized Zwayer during his time at Borussia Dortmund, had a different opinion this time, acknowledging that the decision was justified. The penalty decision sparked intense criticism from British experts, with former players Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both labeling it as "never a penalty".
