Germany Advances, But Officiating Decisions Take Center Stage
The German women’s national soccer team secured a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Denmark. However, the victory was clouded by a series of controversial referee decisions that fueled heated debate both on and off the field.
VAR Interruptions Spark Frustration
No fewer than four disputed moments drove tempers high during the match. The video assistant referee (VAR) was called into action three times: one German goal was disallowed for offside, a penalty was overturned, and another penalty was eventually awarded to Germany. While the final decisions were seen as correct, players and coaches criticized the lengthy VAR checks, which left athletes standing on the pitch for several minutes awaiting outcomes.
German midfielder Linda Dallmann voiced her frustration, telling Bild, “It’s obviously annoying to wait five minutes for a decision.” Midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken found herself at the center of the controversy when she stood ready to take a penalty, only for the call to be reversed after a prolonged review.
Bundestrainer Calls for Faster VAR Decisions
Head coach Christian Wück expressed concerns over the slow pace of video reviews, saying, “It leaves a bad taste when it takes so long. We need to find a way to speed up these decisions in both men’s and women’s soccer.” Wück’s remarks echoed growing calls throughout the sport for a more efficient VAR process.
Head Injury Raises Additional Concerns
The controversy escalated further just before Germany’s decisive second goal. During a scramble, Danish defender Emma Faerge inadvertently struck teammate Emma Snerle in the face with the ball from close range. Snerle fell to the ground visibly dazed, but play continued, and Lea Schüller scored what would become the game-winning goal for Germany. Snerle, still reeling from the impact, had to be substituted immediately after.
Danish striker Amalie Vangsgaard criticized the handling of the situation, stating, “I don’t know if she was nearly unconscious! It’s a shame we have referees who can’t take responsibility for the players’ safety on the field.” Danish head coach Andree Jeglertz added, “We need clear rules. If a player suffers a head injury, you have to stop the game. I don’t understand why the referee didn’t intervene.”
Debate Over Officiating Overshadows Germany’s Win
Despite the positive result for the German team, the aftermath was dominated by debate over the officiating and the use of VAR. While few questioned the accuracy of the calls themselves, the drawn-out reviews and the handling of player safety issues left many calling for reforms. As the tournament moves forward, the focus will be not just on who wins, but on how the game is managed from the referee’s chair.
