Anthony Taylor criticised by UEFA referee chief over Euro 2024 use of VAR

Anthony Taylor was slammed for the delay after the match (Image: Getty)

UEFA’s managing director of referees Roberto Rosetti believes that the English officials took too long to make a VAR decision during the Netherlands’ 0-0 draw with France.

Euro 2024 has had very few moments of controversy so far, with the crop of officials and implementation of semi-automated technology for offsides to thank for the positive changes.

However, a flashpoint did occur last week in the Group D draw between France and the Netherlands to remind Premier League supporters of domestic football due to the delay there was in making the decision.

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Xavi Simons thought that he had opened the scoring for the Dutchmen but after a significant delay, it was ruled that Denzel Dumfries was in an offside position when the ball was struck and thus prevented France goalkeeper Mike Maignan from being able to dive to make the save.

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Referee Anthony Taylor and VAR Stuart Attwell were at the heart of the incident, and the duo have come under fire from UEFA for the delay in reaching a decision on whether the goal should stand.

UEFA chief Rosetti said: “We can improve because we have also to find elements of improvement — and there are always elements for improvement. I guess I think in this situation the element of improvement is the duration of this review. For sure the duration can be less. We can decrease the duration of the review.

Xavi Simons thought that he had opened the scoring against France (Image: Getty)

“In this situation, the VAR checked two possible offsides, then he had to check also the possible impact of the attacker on the goalkeeper, and then he checked also possible previous contact between the players.

“Then we can add that we are at the Euros, the pressure is the pressure, and of course we always accuracy, of course working on the speed of the duration of reviews. But, at the end, the decision is totally correct.”

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Denzel Dumfries was in an offside position when Simons shot at goal (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Rosetti then revealed that he had heard the conversation between Taylor and Attwell from when the incident was reviewed and opened up on how there were numerous factors that the pair needed to consider when chalking out the goal.

He continued: “First point, the decision was taken on the pitch, so the referee saw the geographic position of offside of the player. He communicated with his assistant referee and then he evaluated the possible impact on the attacker on the goalkeeper. So the impact is another key element to define this final decision.

“Another key element you can easily understand is also the trajectory of the ball and the possibility of the goalkeeper to make the save. At the end the decision was offside, because the attacker was impacting on the goalkeeper. The Uefa referee committee totally supported the decision. We think the decision is right. And we are happy about the process.”

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Anthony Taylor criticised by UEFA referee chief over Euro 2024 use of VAR

Anthony Taylor criticised by UEFA referee chief over Euro 2024 use of VAR

Anthony Taylor criticised by UEFA referee chief over Euro 2024 use of VAR

Anthony Taylor criticised by UEFA referee chief over Euro 2024 use of VAR

Anthony Taylor criticised by UEFA referee chief over Euro 2024 use of VAR