Download Netherlands vs France Highlights Video | Euro 2024
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman insisted Xavi Simons’ disallowed goal should have stood as his side played out the first goalless draw of Euro 2024 against France in Leipzig.
Goalscorer Simons, the Netherlands team-mates celebrating with him and a delirious Dutch crowd behind the goal were all convinced the 21-year-old had given Koeman’s side the lead when he found the bottom corner in the second half.
But the on-field officials, led by English referee Anthony Taylor, disallowed the goal because Dutch full-back Denzel Dumfries was in an offside position and deemed to be impeding France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
There was a lengthy check by the video assistant referee Stuart Atwell as fans inside the stadium, without the luxury of being able to see the replay, whistled in frustration until it was announced the on-field decision would stand.
“I think the position of Dumfries is offside, that is true,” said Koeman. “But he is not disturbing the goalkeeper and when that is not happening, it is a legal goal, in my opinion.”
The offside law states: “The attacking player is penalised for preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the goalkeeper’s line of vision.”
The assistant referee flagged for offside, with Taylor and VAR Atwell ruling not to overturn the on-pitch decision.
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It was one of the first major talking points surrounding the use of VAR at the tournament – alongside Belgium’s disallowed goal for a handball in their 1-0 defeat to Slovakia – especially regarding the time taken to reach a decision.
“You need five minutes to check it, because it is so difficult?” added Koeman. “I don’t understand this. He is not disturbing the goalkeeper.”
France coach Didier Deschamps was, perhaps unsurprisingly, of the opinion the correct decision was reached.
I was a little taken aback by how long it took,” he said. “Because, for me, when I saw the image on the screen for me it was a no brainer.”
The incident was similar to a handful of offside decisions given in the Premier League last season when a player was deemed to be in the eyeline or obstructing the goalkeeper, with Wolves having a 99th-minute equaliser against West Ham disallowed.
Max Kilman’s 99th-minute leveller was ruled out after Tawanda Chirewa was adjudged to be offside and blocking goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, therefore interfering with play.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil ended up with an £8,000 fine and touchline ban for his protests.
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Match stats
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TEAM STATS
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|---|---|---|
| 8 | Shots | 15 |
| 4 | Shots on target | 3 |
| 37% | Possession | 63% |
| 398 | Passes | 660 |
| 88% | Pass accuracy | 92% |
| 13 | Fouls | 8 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red cards | 0 |
| 4 | Offsides | 0 |
| 3 | Corners | 6 |
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