Denmark rulings show how video review at Euro 2024 moved on far from FIFA’s original vision for VAR
English referee Michael Oliver gives a penalty for handball against Denmark after checking the VAR during a round of sixteen match between Germany and Denmark at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Frank Augstein]
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Video review of soccer referees’ decisions is testing the patience and faith of coaches, players and fans at the European Championship. Just as it has all season in club games. When FIFA tested and shaped the VAR concept in 2016, there were defined goals and promises. Only overturn clear errors. Don’t undermine the authority of the match referee. Decisions within 10 seconds. It’s not like that at Euro 2024. Denmark had back-to-back overrules go Germany’s way in a 2-0 loss on Saturday. Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand says “this is not how football is supposed to be.”
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Denmark's Joachim Andersen scores a goal which was disallowed during a round of sixteen match between Germany and Denmark at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Frank Augstein