Scotland did not deserve a penalty in their decisive Euro 2024 match against Hungary, according to UEFA’s refereeing boss.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke was livid after appeals for a spot-kick after Stuart Armstrong went down in the area under pressure from Willi Orban 10 minutes from time were waved away by Argentine referee Facundo Tello.
Scotland went on to lose the match 1-0 in the dying seconds to finish bottom of Group A.
Scotland head back home after Hungary’s 100th-minute winner knocked Steve Clarke's side out of Euro 2024 🤕🏴 pic.twitter.com/iaJ0bJjWLg
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 24, 2024
“The biggest point in the game is the penalty kick,” Clarke said in the aftermath. “Why is it not given? I need an answer. I need to know why that’s not a penalty kick.
“I don’t understand how VAR can look at that and say it’s not a penalty. I’ve got words for it, but I like my money.”
UEFA’s managing director for refereeing Roberto Rosetti has now confirmed that VAR checked the incident at the time and he agrees with the conclusion they came to that Armstrong initiated the contact with the Hungary defender.
He also claims Scotland might count themselves fortunate not to have had a penalty awarded against them.
“This was a very tough game with also a couple of controversial incidents,” Rosetti told the Evening Standard.
“There was one, for example, (on 68 minutes), when there was a possible penalty because John McGinn was pulling the opponent’s shirt. This was one of the possible penalties.
"I can't believe the referee hasn't given that."
A closer look at Willi Orban's challenge on Stuart Armstrong 🕵️♂️#SCOHUN #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/XoS3fE39Aq
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 23, 2024
“Then there was of course another incident. Armstrong was in front of the Hungarian. If you watch from the behind camera, there was a movement of the attacker towards the Hungarian. Another controversial decision.
“Of course the VARs are checking everything. The VAR checked this situation. For the VAR there was no intervention because there was, in their opinion, the attacker changed the direction towards the defender.
“In his opinion it was just a physical contact, trying to challenge the defender. It was checked and there was no intervention.”
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Rosetti revealed the directive that only captains may talk to officials which was brought in for this tournament will be extended to all UEFA competitions next season, and other leagues may implement it too.
“Our first feedback is extremely positive – it works,” he said. “Speaking with the players and coaches, before and after the matches, they are absolutely happy about this implementation. I also had some talks with top players – everyone is happy.
“The process is positive. The referees now are giving information to the captain. The captains are responding in a very positive way and also, for the other players, it’s easier because now they don’t go anymore to the referee. They don’t mob the referee anymore.
“I think this is something extremely positive for football.
“We have already received requests from important national associations in Europe, because they really want to follow this line. I have received calls from chiefs of refereeing from the countries and also national associations.
“This will be implemented, for sure, in all the UEFA competitions and we are happy that also the national associations want to follow us.”
