In a recent Euro 2024 group stage match between Scotland and Hungary, a decision to deny Scotland a penalty has been supported by Uefa’s head of referees, Roberto Rosetti. During a post-match briefing in Germany, Rosetti justified the decision by explaining that there was “physical contact” initiated by Scotland’s Stuart Armstrong against Hungary defender Willi Orban. This decision led to criticism from Scotland head coach Steve Clarke, as Hungary secured a 1-0 victory, eliminating Scotland from the competition.
Rosetti disclosed that the incident was reviewed by the VAR team, who determined that there was no need for an on-field review by the referee. Additionally, the briefing revealed another possible hand ball in Scotland’s penalty box by John McGinn in the second half of the match.
During the briefing, Rosetti addressed the controversial incidents, stating that Scotland’s John McGinn had also committed a foul just before the penalty incident. He emphasized that there was rigorous oversight from the VAR team and justified their decision by pointing out that Armstrong had initiated physical contact with the Hungarian defender.
When questioned about the referee’s future in the tournament, Rosetti refrained from commenting on Tello’s status for the knock-out stages and simply noted that top officials always leave tournaments early. He also commended the decision to award a penalty and show a red card to Scotland’s Ryan Porteous in their match against Germany, deeming it as a “good decision” by the referee and the VAR team.
Rosetti also discussed another contentious ruling by English referee Anthony Taylor in the goalless draw between the Netherlands and France. He confirmed that the decision to disallow Xavi Simons’ goal was “totally correct”, as Dumfries was in an offside position, impacting the trajectory of the ball and the goalkeeper’s ability to make the save. Despite acknowledging that the duration of the decision-making process could be reduced, Rosetti stressed the complexity of evaluating multiple elements simultaneously.
The briefing, led by Roberto Rosetti, provided insight into the meticulous process undertaken by match officials and the significant role played by the VAR team in making crucial decisions during high-stakes matches. As the Euro 2024 tournament continues, the adherence to refereeing standards and the utilization of VAR technology will remain under scrutiny, ensuring that fair play and accurate officiating are upheld throughout the competition.