Netherlands’ Ronald Koeman claims soccer is ‘destroyed’ after controversial Euro 2024 VAR call

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman is fuming over a controversial first-half penalty in his side’s 2-1 loss to England in the 2024 European Championship semifinals and blamed video assistant referee (VAR) for “destroying” soccer. 

It was an equalizer in the 18th minute of the match that led to the bitterness from the coach, as Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries was called for a VAR-reviewed penalty. 

Dumfries caught England’s Harry Kane on the follow-through of his challenge after Kane had already sent his shot over the crossbar. 

No call had been originally made, but referee Felix Zwayer was then advised to check on the play by VAR. 

After being awarded the penalty kick, Kane buried the shot to even the score at 1-1. 

Ollie Watkins scored the game-winning goal for England in stoppage time in the second half to propel the team into the final.

“This is not a penalty,” Koeman told reporters following the match, according to ESPN. “His only intention was to block a shot. Harry Kane then shoots and their feet collide. 

“Football is getting destroyed by these type of decisions by VAR. This penalty would not have been given in England. What should you do as a defender? I thought the referee whistled for a lot of silly things, but that’s not why we lose.”

Koeman wasn’t alone in his questioning of the call either, with former England defender Gary Neville seeming to agree with Koeman’s complaints over the call. 

The ITV analyst called the decision “disgraceful.” 

“There’s no way that was a penalty. He just goes in naturally to block the shot. It’s not a penalty for me,” he said on the network, per the BBC. 

Alan Shearer, a former striker for England, said on BBC Radio that he didn’t question the contact, but argued that Dumfries was “trying to block the ball.”

“The follow-through from Harry Kane makes the connection and I didn’t think it was a howler to be turned over,” he added. 

England will face Spain in the tournament final on Sunday.