DENMARK head coach Kasper Hjulmand and a host of pundits leapt to the defence of Joachim Andersen after a crazy 16 seconds against Germany in the second round of Euro 2024 on Saturday evening.
Crystal Palace defender Andersen thought he had given the Danes the lead against the tournament hosts early in the second half. But Thomas Delaney was ruled fractionally offside in the build-up, according to the semi-automated offside technology.
After the goal was chalked off, Andersen was then judged to have handled David Raum’s cross. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz scored the penalty and Jamal Musiala added a second as Julian Nagelsmann’s side reached the quarter-finals.
Hjulmand was furious in his post-match news conference.
“It was decided by two VAR decisions – 16 seconds of a decisive moment,” he said.
“I rarely talk about these decisions but it was very decisive for this game. It is frustrating. It is frustrating for our team.
“I have a picture of one centimetre offside call, it is not possible. You cannot call a one-centimetre call.”
Hjulmand added: “We have been told our defenders should not run around with their hands behind their back.
“It was 16 seconds that were the decisive moment in the match. When VAR is used like that it is just ridiculous.”
Dion Dublin said on BBC Sport: “To rule goals out for that, what are you supposed to do and the handball is even worse.”
Former Wales captain Ashley Williams agreed. He said: “You have to do the arms behind the back, which is absolutely ridiculous because it hinders the art of defending.”
And on ITV, former Manchester United and Ireland skipper Roy Keane said: “I’m always critical of defenders coming out defending with their hands behind their back, but I see it. I feel for defenders.
“That’s not the game we grew up loving, these types of decisions. People wouldn’t be waking up tomorrow saying, ‘why is that not a penalty?’
“I’m okay with the offside. Offside is offside. I go back to the handball and I just can’t see it as a penalty.”
