A former Premier League referee has had his say on the controversial decision to award England a penalty in thier Euro 2024 tie against the Netherlands.
Gareth Southgate's side had trailed 1-0 early on through an impressive Xavi Simons strike, but were handed a spot kick from seemingly nowhere when Harry Kane was clipped by Denzel Dumfries.
Kane had skied his effort, but after a VAR check, referee Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot, with Kane slotting home to get the better of Bart Verbruggen from 12 yards to square the game back up.
The call didn't come without controversey, however, with Jamie Carragher leading the social media slamming of the decision, despite it benefitting England.
Taking to social media too, former Premier League official Keith Hackett, who worked in the league in its first two years as the Premier League after rising to the top level around 20 years prior and was also once in charge of PGMOL, slammed the call.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Hackett, now 80, wrote: 'Well we will accept the penalty. However the referee's initial judgment was sound. No foul both players going for the ball.
'Once again VAR incorrectly intervenes and in the usual manner the referee goes to the screen and at a glance changes his mind and awards the PK.'
He also responded to Gary Neville, who was working as a pundit for the match on ITV and had branded the call 'an absolute disgrace'.
'As a defender I think it's an absolute disgrace, an absolutely disgraceful decision to have that given against me as a penalty anytime, but in a game of such importance,' Neville said. 'I was fuming with the Denmark one the other week, I was offended by that one, that was a disgrace.
'I have to say the defender just goes in naturally and blocks the shot. It's not a penalty for me, it's nowhere near a penalty for me. I don't think many of the England players were claiming it either.
'Harry obviously stayed down, he took a knock but look, you take your luck, England have had a really good half.'
Hackett took to X again, posting: ''Well said Gary Neville you are correct.'
Kane nonetheless scored the goal, firing into the bottom left corner despite Brighton goalkeeper Verburggen going the right way.
It took the Three Lions captain to three goals for the tournament, joint first in the race for the Golden Boot.
Sepbenou
2
Anywhere else on the pitch, its a foul for a late tackle, it’s a penalty for me all day long
Semabiknuy
0
this happens even in the premier league.
Jizeiklopy
0
England is a team that dives too much
vuaabdipu
0
It was a pen And stop saying it wasn't
Joshmmk
0
England won oh UEFA why why this referee should be ban they just want england to be champions as a nation since 66 no trophy won crazy CHEATERS AS A NATION
England is for English.....so just polish your English first
Woyelmoprt
1
I am yet to see a referee stand by his original decision after being sent to the screen.
Kesadlor
1
this referee is bought easily 🤭
Fusceknps
0
England won oh UEFA why why this referee should be ban they just want england to be champions as a nation since 66 no trophy won crazy CHEATERS AS A NATION
Zuodisty
4
UEFA and referee members are really killing this game not attractive this isn't how the play football very immature to judge wrongly with guilty mind that will hunt them forever
SirBoris
3
Harry kane kicked dumfries leg and was given a penalty. Dumfries didnt kick him.... Kane kicjed him instead and cried
Supermimo
0
VAR INTERVINES BECAUSE IT IS ENGLAND OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NOT INTERVINE. HOW MANY YEARS HAS BEEN THAT ENGLAND HAS NOT WON ANY?????
and their story will still remain with Cheater Harry Kane. They robbed the Netherlands with that penalty call. It was robbery. Nemesis will get back at England in the final and Spain will carry the day
Supermimo
0
that's penalty all day long Dumfries was late and with open studs that can end a player's career if you catch him on the Sheen
Don't worry, it's turn by turn...Spain are there for England. Nemesis will play back against England
Supermimo
0
Clear penalty, why so hard to accept? There wS contact. Else where on the pitch, it's a foul. 1st hard, Saka & Foden were great. Yes, Bellingham needs a rest. Why not start Palmer?
What contact after Harry Kane already kicked the ball and the Dumfries leg that he raised to block the already kicked ball hit Harry Kane (& that cheat fell like Rock hit him). And same deceitful Harry Kane used same leg to walk to the penalty & kicked it well just within seconds to minutes. That was robbery & corruption. For that single act of cheating, Spain will lift the Trophy and Harry Kane will see the result of cheating on others.
kubblrtz
0
that's penalty all day long Dumfries was late and with open studs that can end a player's career if you catch him on the Sheen
YOU'RE RIGHT MY BROTHER.
andrepoon
0
Clear penalty, why so hard to accept? There wS contact. Else where on the pitch, it's a foul. 1st hard, Saka & Foden were great. Yes, Bellingham needs a rest. Why not start Palmer?
Yewacdkrst
1
what do this pundits want exactly. that was a clear penalty
Charlesugwu
3
Please, who was the VAR referee? Nobody seems to be interested in knowing who he is. He could be an English fan
yutacilrst
3
Dumb Fries 🍟
ColinsGooner
0
Kobbie and Foden running the show. Jude needs to have a rest 💤
[image]
foden played well today for the first time in this tournament
ColinsGooner
1
if the ref didn't give it and they lost they would be complaining right now,saying he is used to match fixing,but because they won they're trying to make things soft
TB28
2
This blocks wants sympathy from foreign media and global fans. Losers. It was a clearly penalty, to make the leg so high on penalty box is reckless.
ColinsGooner
0
Kane arrived earlier for the ball.Its a neat penalty.Hackett is very stupid to say otherwise.
he is 80 and can't see clearly
Shmonny
1
Kobbie and Foden running the show. Jude needs to have a rest 💤
ColinsGooner
0
that's penalty all day long Dumfries was late and with open studs that can end a player's career if you catch him on the Sheen
Judas21038
1
Jude for ballon d’or
Vomanost
0
Kane arrived earlier for the ball.Its a neat penalty.Hackett is very stupid to say otherwise.
Shmonny
1
England is dominating, they played well so for ❤️❤️
fiwikmoz
1
ba
Lowaelprty
4
Spain will roast you guys on Sunday. infact England reached this level because their zone was weak.
emondorock
1
Luck of the English....Spain won't Fuck around
Tihekmstu
2
That was beyond terrible both players were going for the ball their was no need of var
Zabacdino
2
VAR INTERVINES BECAUSE IT IS ENGLAND OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NOT INTERVINE. HOW MANY YEARS HAS BEEN THAT ENGLAND HAS NOT WON ANY?????
jhkr
5
England fans are good at blackmailing people at first they said referee had controversials with jude en was banned once from refeering then are given a controversial penalty then are now talking alot