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3 months ago
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Netherlands winger Xavi Simons was denied a memorable goal following a controversial offside call against France at Euro 2024 on Friday night.
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.
After Premier League referee Anthony Taylor had consulted with one of his English assistants, the goal was disallowed on the field.
However, the game was then delayed for well over a minute 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 Wayne Rooney - 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
Anthony Taylor was the referee in charge of the match and his assistants were all English
The goal was ruled out because of an offside call against Dutch right back Denzel 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 looked at the replays himself, instead of relying on the VAR team.
Simons looked disappointed with the decision, which denied him his second international goal
Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk was seen complaining to Taylor as the ref waited for a VAR ruling
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.'
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