Koeman accuses VAR of 'breaking football' after Dutch loss

Netherlands leader Ronald Koeman criticised nan usage of video adjunct referees (VAR) for "breaking football" aft England were awarded a contentious punishment successful Tuesday's tense Euro 2024 semi-final.

The Dutch had taken an early lead done Xavi Simons' powerful onslaught but Gareth Southgate's broadside were handed a lifeline erstwhile Harry Kane was caught connected nan follow-through by Denzel Dumfries aft nan England skipper had already changeable complete nan bar.

No punishment was fixed primitively but referee Felix Zwayer past pointed to nan spot aft he was advised to spell to nan show by VAR.

Kane levelled pinch nan spot-kick and substitute Ollie Watkins struck a 90th-minute victor to nonstop England to Sunday's final, wherever they will play Spain.

"In my sentiment it should not person been a penalty," said Koeman.

"He kicked nan shot and nan boots touched. I deliberation that we cannot play decently shot and this is owed to VAR. It really breaks football."

Former England defender and ITV pundit Gary Neville felt nan Netherlands had each correct to consciousness aggrieved.

"As a defender, I deliberation it's an perfectly disgraceful decision," he said.

"There's nary measurement that was a penalty. He conscionable goes successful people to artifact nan shot. It's not a punishment for me."

Ex-England striker Alan Shearer said connected BBC Radio 5 live: "There is nary uncertainty that location is contact, but nan defender [Dumfries] is trying to artifact nan ball.

"The follow-through from Harry Kane makes nan relationship and I didn't deliberation it was a howler to beryllium turned over."

Netherlands and Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk besides felt nan punishment determination was nan turning constituent successful nan game.

"I deliberation nan punishment infinitesimal is simply a large moment, England had immoderate assurance retired of it," he added.

"I deliberation truthful galore decisions didn't spell our way, but I don't want to speak astir nan referee."

Despite seeing nan Netherlands' hopes of a first European Championship title since 1988 dashed, Koeman offered England backing for nan final.

Spain person arguably been nan champion broadside astatine Euro 2024, winning each crippled they person played, but Koeman sees nary logic why Southgate's broadside cannot declare a first awesome trophy since 1966.

"I deliberation England showed awesome shot successful nan first half aft [being] 1-0 down," he added.

"It is football. Maybe if you watch each of nan matches of nan Spanish team, possibly they are playing much offensive, awesome wingers and shot possession and you request to extremity that.

"But England are successful nan last and person nan anticipation to triumph it. Spain are playing connected a precocious level but England tin extremity them. Why not?"