‘This is like Sunday league stuff. This ref’s at it’: Fans fume at England ‘robbery’ as it emerges there were TWO balls on the pitch just moments before Raheem Sterling won controversial penalty in Euro 2020 semi-final win against Denmark
Fans have taken to social media to vent their fury at there being two balls on the pitch just moments before England were awarded their crucial penalty in the semi-final of Euro 2020 against Denmark.
England supporters reacted with relief on Wednesday evening, admitting they ‘got lucky for once’ with replays showing there was very little contact made on Raheem Sterling before he hit the floor.
Harry Kane then scored on the rebound after his spot kick was initially saved by Kasper Schmeichel in the first half of extra time to secure the Three Lions’ place in the final of Euro 2020 against Italy on Sunday.
Fans have taken to social media to vent their fury at there being two balls on the pitch just moments before England won a penalty against Denmark
The laws dictate the game must be stopped if the second ball is interfering with play
The incident came just moments before Raheem Sterling won a controversial penalty
But now beady-eyed fans have also spotted that there were two balls on the pitch just metres from each other when Sterling began his surge into the box before challenges from Joakim Maehle and Mathias Jensen.
FIFA’s laws of the game state that: ‘an extra ball, other object or animal enters the field of play during the match, the referee must: stop play (and restart with a dropped ball) only if it interferes with play.’
The referee at Wembley, Danny Makkelie, therefore either missed the incident or decided the second ball was not interfering with play, but few would have complained had he brought the move back and restart it with a drop ball.
However, some supporters raged at the decision, as they claimed Denmark had been ‘robbed’ with two decisions unfairly going against them in a matter of seconds.
Harry Kane made no mistake from the spot as England set up a Euro 2020 final against Italy
One wrote: ‘Two balls on the pitch as well. Absolute robbery,’ while another concurred, adding: ‘Two balls on the pitch and a blatant dive. Never seen robbery like this.’
Others were also left disappointed with Dutch referee Makkelie’s performance, with one adding: ‘Two balls on the pitch and then Sterling dives… referees are stealing a living,’ while another stated simply: ‘Two balls on the field. Cheatland.’
Another meanwhile added: ‘No contact. Two balls on the pitch. This is like Sunday league stuff. This refs at it’.
Former Czech journalist Filip Horky also weighed in, slamming both Sterling and the officials by posting: ‘Two balls on the pitch and poor diving. Shame on you, #ENG and #UEFA.’
Others believe England’s destiny in this tournament has already been decided, adding: ‘There’s two balls on the pitch. Nah they want England to win this tournament on god. Mxm.
Another agreed that England’s ‘luck’ was unbelievable, stating: ‘Two balls on the pitch but play was never stopped …. I actually can’t believe their luck uno.’
Fans were also up in arms about the laser pen that was shone in the face of Danish keeper Schmeichel’s face before Kane’s penalty.
One said: ‘Two balls in the game, clear dive, laserpointer to distract the GK. Sure, absolutely fair.’
