Gary Lineker and Wayne Rooney criticised the decision to disallow Netherlands star Xavi Simons’ strike during the 0-0 draw with France at Euro 2024.
The game ended 0-0 – the first goalless draw of the tournament – despite France dominating the contest in terms of possession and chances.
But the Dutch side will feel that they could, or perhaps should, have won the game after Simons beat France keeper Mike Maignan with a sweet low strike from 15 yards midway through the second half.
One of the assistant referees immediately flagged for offside as Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries was deemed to be interfering with play.
The match was then delayed for well over two minutes as the VAR team sought to conclude whether that was the correct decision. In the end, they concluded that it was. But many viewers – including ex-England captain Rooney, Lineker and Alan Shearer – disagreed.
Xavi Simons celebrated after hitting the net for the Netherlands against France on Friday night
But the goal did not stand because of an offside call and the game eventually ended 0-0
The goal was ruled out because of an offside call against Dutch right back Dumfries, who did not touch the ball during the attacking phase.
But the officials deemed that Dumfries had been interfering with play because he was stood in a position that made it harder for Maignan to get to Simons’ shot.
Rooney, who was part of BBC Sport’s punditry team on Friday, said: ‘I think it’s a goal. There’s no way that should be disallowed.’
Former England striker Gary Lineker seemed to agree and suggested that Maignan was ‘not impeded’, adding: ‘If he dived, he’d just about reach him.’
Alan Shearer was frustrated about how long it took the officials to reach their decision, while Lineker, Rooney and ex-Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas all thought that referee Taylor should have been sent to the monitor.
Fabregas said: ‘I question a bit the referee there. The VAR should have called him to check the screen.’
Lineker claimed that Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman was ‘right to be frustrated’ and that it was ‘strange’ that the referee did not go to monitor.
Rooney concluded: ‘If you go to the monitor, it’s his own opinion. Onside, that’s a goal.’
Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk was seen complaining to Taylor as the ref waited for a VAR ruling
This was the biggest VAR call of Euro 2024 so far and many people disagreed with the outcome
Former England captain Wayne Rooney said that the goal should have been awarded
Fellow ex-England star Gary Lineker appeared to agree during the BBC’s post-game coverage
The draw effectively secures the Netherlands and France’s spots in the knockout round.
Both sides have four points from their opening two matches.
