Video evidence sensor new at EM
Sudden “pulse” surprises TV viewers
17.06.2024, 21:30
Domenico Tedesco is very upset after his Belgian team’s defeat at the start of the European Championship. Striker Romelu Lukaku is also angry. Two of his goals are disallowed. A “pulse” helps the referees make their decision. This can also be seen by TV viewers.
The disallowed goal by Belgium’s record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku caused debate and anger at the European Football Championship. “It’s difficult to talk about it. If we had won, I could give my opinion more honestly. I want to be a fair loser, so I don’t want to talk so much about the referee,” said coach Domenico Tedesco after his Red Devils’ 0:1 defeat to outsiders Slovakia. He trusts the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). “If that’s what they decide, we have to accept it.”
Lukaku had scored what appeared to be the equaliser in the 86th minute, but the goal was taken back after reviewing the video images because Leipzig’s Lois Openda touched the ball very lightly with his hand before scoring. Openda’s contact was checked using a newly introduced ball sensor, which showed a clear deflection. This was also visible to TV viewers, as a pulse was shown in the slow-motion images. Even referee boss Roberto Rosetti had doubts before the tournament that the graphics would actually be used: “We probably don’t need it – but better safe than sorry.”
Referee Umut Meler, who had been advised by the German video assistant Bastian Dankert to look at the controversial scene again, decided it was handball with the help of the graphics – and took the goal back. Instead of at least saving a 1:1 draw, Belgium embarrassed themselves in their European Championship opener against Slovakia.
“We are reaching the limit”
Experts and former professionals were divided on the controversial scene in Frankfurt. “You can clearly see that he really did touch him. That’s where we’re reaching the limit. I do think that the hand goes out very far, but of course it’s not really intentional. Bitter for the Belgians, but for me a justifiable decision,” said former referee Manuel Gräfe on ZDF.
Former professionals were less understanding of the decision. “For me, it is not a punishable handball. If we blow the whistle, it will be bitter for the Belgians. I don’t think it should be taken back. I think there is a margin of discretion here that the referee unfortunately did not exercise,” commented Michael Ballack on MagentaTV after the game. “That is extremely unfortunate. I would not have blown the whistle,” added former football world champion Christoph Kramer.
England’s Gary Lineker even wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that it was a “bullshit decision”. Lukaku had previously missed numerous other chances. He had already had a goal disallowed because the 31-year-old attacker was slightly offside.