Scotland did not deserve a penalty in their crucial Euro 2024 match against Hungary, according to UEFA’s refereeing boss.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke was fuming after Stuart Armstrong went down under pressure from Willi Orban with 10 minutes remaining and was booked by Argentine referee Facundo Tello.
Scotland went on to lose 1-0 in this game with seconds left to finish bottom of Group A.
Scotland head home after Hungary’s 100th-minute winner sends Steve Clarke’s side out of Euro 2024 🤕🏴 pic.twitter.com/iaJ0bJjWLg
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 24, 2024
“The big point in this game is the penalty kick,” said Clarke after the results. “Why is it not given? I need an answer. I need to know why that is not a penalty.
“I don’t understand how VAR can look at that and say it’s not a penalty. I have words about it, but I like my money.”
UEFA’s managing director of referees Roberto Rosetti has confirmed that VAR has reviewed the incident at the time and agrees with their conclusion that Armstrong initiated contact with the Hungarian defender.
He also said that Scotland may consider themselves lucky not to receive a penalty.
“This was a very difficult game and it had a few controversial incidents,” Rosetti told the Evening Standard.
“For example, there was one (in the 68th minute), where there was a penalty because John McGinn was pulling an opponent’s shirt. This was one of the possible punishments.
“I can’t believe the referee hasn’t given you that yet.”
A closer look at Willi Orban’s challenge to Stuart Armstrong 🕵️♂️#SCOHUN #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/XoS3fE39Aq
-BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 23, 2024
“Then there was another incident of course. Armstrong was ahead of Hungary. If you look behind the camera, there was a movement of the attacker towards Hungary. Another controversial decision.
“Of course the VARs look at everything. VAR has assessed the situation. VAR did not intervene because in their opinion, the attacker changed direction towards the defender.
“From his point of view it was just physical contact, I was trying to challenge the defender. It was observed and there was no intervention.”
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Rosetti revealed the order that only the captains can talk to the officials brought to the competition which will be extended to all UEFA competitions next season, and other leagues can use it.
“Our first response is very positive – it works,” he said. “Talking to the players and coaches, before and after the games, they are very happy with this implementation. I also had talks with top players – everyone is happy.
“The program is good. The referees are giving information to the captain. The captains respond in a positive way and it’s easy for the other players because now they don’t go to the referees. They don’t fool referees anymore.
“I think this is a very good thing in football.
“We have received requests from important European national associations, because they really want to follow this line. I have received calls from premier referees from countries and national associations.
“This will be done, in all UEFA competitions and we are happy that the national associations also want to follow us.”
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