Virgil van Dijk expressed strong criticism towards referee Anthony Taylor and VAR official Stuart Attwell following the Netherlands’ contentious 0-0 draw against France at Euro 2024.
The match, held in Leipzig, saw the Netherlands denied what they believed to be a legitimate goal, leading to significant frustration among players and fans alike.
The pivotal moment of the match came in the 68th minute when Xavi Simons scored a goal that initially sparked celebrations among the Dutch supporters.
However, the joy was short-lived as the assistant referee raised the flag, indicating an offside position. The contention centered around Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries, who was deemed to have interfered with French goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s ability to save the shot, despite not directly touching the ball.
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor, officiating the match, ruled out the goal. The decision was upheld by VAR official Stuart Attwell after a prolonged review. This call resulted in Euro 2024’s first goalless draw, a decision that left the Dutch team feeling aggrieved.
After the match, Virgil van Dijk, captain of both Liverpool and the Netherlands, did not hold back in his criticism. “We scored a goal that is a fair goal,” van Dijk stated. “He [Maignan] had no chance to get into that corner. But, the English referee decided to disallow it.” Van Dijk’s comments reflect his belief that Maignan was not significantly impeded by Dumfries, thereby making the disallowed goal unjustified.
Dutch manager Ronald Koeman echoed van Dijk’s sentiments in his post-match press conference. “I think the position of Dumfries is offside – that’s true,” Koeman conceded. “But, he isn’t disturbing the goalkeeper.
It’s a legal goal in my opinion. You need five minutes to check it? I don’t understand this. In my opinion, once again, he is not disturbing the goalkeeper.” Koeman’s frustration was palpable as he questioned the lengthy VAR review and the ultimate decision to disallow the goal.
The Dutch team faces a quick turnaround as they prepare to take on Austria just three days after this controversial match. This short recovery time adds to their challenge as they aim to secure their place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Austria, who recently defeated Poland, will be a tough opponent, and the Dutch will need to quickly move past the disappointment of the France match to focus on their next challenge.
France, on the other hand, shares the same points and goal difference as the Netherlands.
They will face Poland in their next match, a team already eliminated from Euro 2024 following their defeat to Austria. This match offers France a potentially easier path to securing their place in the next round.
The controversy surrounding the disallowed goal highlights ongoing debates about the application and consistency of VAR decisions in football.
While technology aims to bring clarity and fairness, instances like this continue to fuel arguments about its impact on the game’s flow and the subjective nature of certain calls.
As the tournament progresses, the Dutch team will need to harness their frustration positively and focus on their upcoming matches. Meanwhile, the discussions and criticisms about refereeing and VAR decisions are likely to persist, adding another layer of drama to an already intense and closely contested Euro 2024.
