30 June 2024 , 10:19
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Joachim Andersen launched an astonishing attack on Premier League referee Michael Oliver after Denmark were eliminated from Euro 2024 by hosts Germany.
The Crystal Palace centre-back looked to have put the Danes ahead in Dortmund on 48 minutes when he lashed home inside the penalty box. However, Thomas Delaney's toe was ruled offside and 90 seconds later, Andersen conceded a penalty for blocking David Raum's cross with his arm.
The angered Andersen later told Scandinavian broadcaster TV2: "There was no shadow of a penalty kick. It is one of the worst refereeing performances I have seen in my career. Offside is offside, but that he can rule on the ball in such a situation, it's absolutely crazy."
When asked if he approached Oliver to discuss either decision, Andersen replied: "I'm not allowed to. Then you get fines and a yellow card. It's a ridiculous rule. He can make all the mistakes he wants, and you can't say anything."
Under new UEFA ruling, only the captain can approach a referee to contest a decision. The furious 28-year-old continued: "The rule that says we can't talk to the referee is the stupidest rule I've ever heard of.
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"Of course you react when the referee makes a wrong decision, and I don't know how many wrong decisions he made during this match."
Denmark captain Simon Kjaer has played 132 matches for his country but he did not feature at Euro 2024 - much to his frustration. He said when asked about his lack of involvement: "You must talk to Kasper [Hjulmand] about that. There really isn't much more to put into it from my side. I have been ready.
"I have been an advocate for the collective for many years, and I always will be - but everyone wants to play, that is the ambition we all run around with, but no one is above the team."
Meanwhile, Nico Schlotterbeck claims Germany have a trump card up their sleeve - the support of a united nation.
Denmark were on the wrong side of two big VAR calls against Germany (AFP via Getty Images)The Borussia Dortmund centre-back, who had a fourth-minute header ruled out in the 2-0 last 16 triumph over Denmark on Saturday night, is confident Julian Nagelsmann's side can go the distance at Euro 2024.
"We have triggered something in the country," said Schlotterbeck, admitting his team-mates are feeding off the energy of the home crowd. "When something comes from outside, you're really happy that you can use it as a catalyst in the game. We play with euphoria, we play with fun - that's the best thing about football."
Now Waiblingen native Schlotterbeck is relishing a return to hometown Stuttgart for the quarter-finals. He added "I grew up five kilometres from there. All my boys will be in the stadium, my whole family. I'm really looking forward to the quarter-finals.
"We had crazy fans behind us against Denmark - the stadium was shaking. I'm used to that from playing for Dortmund, but not so much from the national team."