1st contentious refereeing call favors England at Euro 2020
LONDON (AP) - Perhaps the first contentious refereeing decision of the European Championship went England´s way.
Raheem Sterling burst into the penalty area in extra time of the semifinal match against Denmark and appeared to lose his balance following a challenge by Joakim Maehle. The England winger eventually fell to the ground after a nudge from another Denmark player, Mathias Jensen.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot, the decision stood after a review by the video assistant referee and Harry Kane scored - off the rebound after the penalty was saved - to give England a 2-1 win and a spot in the Euro 2020 final.
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said he cannot understand how such a big call was made at such a crucial moment.
"You can´t pass by a decision that has so much influence on the game," Hjulmand said. "I couldn´t see that as a penalty.
"One thing is to lose a game ... but this is a disappointment. It´s bitter."
England's Raheem Sterling, left, is fouled by Denmark's Mathias Jensen and a penalty is awarded during the Euro 2020 soccer semifinal match between England and Denmark at Wembley stadium in London, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (Laurence Griffiths/Pool Photo via AP)
Denmark's players were also unhappy, surrounding referee Danny Makkelie after he blew for a penalty.
England coach Gareth Southgate said he hadn't seen a replay of the incident.
"There is VAR," Southgate said, "so I assume they checked it and stuck with the referee´s decision."
The standard of refereeing has been widely praised during Euro 2020.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
England's Raheem Sterling falls down in the box to win a penalty shot during the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between England and Denmark at Wembley stadium in London, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (Catherine Ivill/Pool Photo via AP)
Denmark players argue with referee Danny Makkelie after he awarded a penalty to England's Raheem Sterling during the Euro 2020 soccer semifinal match between England and Denmark at Wembley stadium in London, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (Laurence Griffiths/Pool Photo via AP)
