Gary Lineker launched a furious tirade against VAR after Belgium were controversially denied an equaliser against Slovakia at Euro 2024.
Belgium suffered a 1-0 defeat in their opening match in Group E, with Romelu Lukaku seeing two goals ruled out by VAR. Ivan Schranz fired in an early goal for Slovakia after Belgium gave away the ball in a dangerous area and the underdogs rode their luck to hold onto their slender lead.
Lukaku tapped home from Amadou Onana’s header only to see VAR chalk it off for offside before the first truly contentious call of the tournament came. The Chelsea striker appeared to have rescued a point for his side when he smashed in from Lois Openda’s cross before VAR intervened once again.
Replays showed that the ball had brushed Openda’s hand in the build-up, prompting VAR to send referee Halil Meler to the pitchside monitor to watch it. Lukaku’s strike was subsequently ruled out for handball by Openda, prompting anger from Lineker on social media.
The former England striker tweeted: “Bull**** decision!” He wasn’t alone in that reaction, either. “That is scandalous,” ex-striker Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “It is ridiculous, it really is. Openda doesn't intentionally push the ball into his path. That is harsh. In the Premier League that goal would stand.”
Lukaku was finally granted Chelsea exit after 'telling the truth' about TuchelAsked about the decision, Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco said: "It's tough to speak for me now, If we would have won I would tell you a little bit more of my opinion. But right now we lost and I want to be a fair loser that's why I don't think we should speak about the referee and VAR. We trust those guys, and if they decided that it is handball and they whistle, that's it."
The decision was explained by former FIFA referee Christina Unkel on ITV's coverage. “The ‘deliberate’ handball interpretation has recently changed,” she said. “This is going to be considered a deliberate offence as the arm is near the shoulder level because the arm is extended and the touch helps control the ball.”
That explanation is unlikely to go down well with Belgium, who fell victim to one of the biggest upsets in Euros history in Frankfurt. As well as seeing two goals ruled out, Lukaku spurned two great opportunities, firing an early effort straight at Martin Dubravka before taking a poor touch when played in by Yannick Carrasco.
Leandro Trossard also wasted a good chance to lob Dubravka as Belgium fired in 16 shots in total to no effect. Belgium will hope to bounce back from their disappointment when they play Romania in Cologne on Saturday.
Romania won’t be easy opponents, however, having shown their credentials by thrashing Ukraine 3-0 in their opening game on Monday afternoon. Romania had only previously won a single game at European Championships but produced a stunning performance to make a statement.