Referee Felix Zwayer pointed to the penalty spot in the European Championship semi-final after Harry Kane fell to the ground in the penalty area. Criticism came from Dutch players and English experts.
Dutch defence chief Virgil van Dijk has criticised German referee Felix Zwayer after the bitter last-minute European Championship exit. “The fact that he ran straight into the dressing room says it all,” said Van Dijk on the evening after the Elftal’s 1:2 defeat against European Championship finalists England. The Dutch specifically criticised Zwayer’s refereeing in the final minutes.
The penalty that Harry Kane converted to make it 1-1 also caused a stir. “I wouldn’t have given the penalty. But ultimately the VAR (video referee) intervened – and we have to accept that,” Van Dijk said on MagentaTV.
Denzel Dumfries, who tried to block Kane’s shot but committed a foul, commented: “There is contact with Kane, so you know that the referee can give the penalty. I take responsibility for that. You do everything you can to prevent a goal, but then something like this happens. It’s really shit.”
Criticism of Felix Zwayer even before the European Championship semi-final
Before the match, Zwayer’s selection was viewed with skepticism in England. During his time at Borussia Dortmund, Jude Bellingham had heavily criticised the now 43-year-old after a defeat against FC Bayern. This time, Bellingham was probably at least satisfied with the penalty decision.
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Instead, the British experts were sceptical about the decision, even though it went in favor of the Three Lions. Former international player Gary Neville called the whistle a “disgrace” and added: “A scandalous decision. That a penalty like that is awarded, no matter when, and certainly not in such an important game. Of course he goes in and tries to block the shot. That is never a penalty.”
“Never a penalty”
Former national defender Jamie Carragher also agreed. He wrote on X: “Never a penalty.” Zwayer had initially decided against a penalty during the game and changed his mind after viewing the video images.
Source: Stern
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