Danish star Schmeichel rages at VAR and admits he “still doesn’t know the rules” after controversial exit from Euro 2024

KASPER SCHMEICHEL was angered by VAR following Denmark’s elimination from Euro 2024 yesterday.

The Danes thought they had taken the lead against hosts Germany after a surprise goal from Joachim Andersen.

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But the goal was disallowed due to a fractional offside by Thomas Delaney in the build-up.

Their unhappiness was immediately compounded when a penalty was awarded at the other end for an Andersen handball.

The handball didn’t seem immediately obvious, but VAR intervened and summoned Michael Oliver to the monitor.

He then scored a penalty for Germany, which Kai Havertz converted to make it 1-0, and Jamal Musiala scored Germany’s second with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The famous ‘snickometer’ was used to show that the ball hit Andersen’s hand after being hit from close range by Florian Wirtz.

Speaking after the game, Schmeichel, 37, was asked to sum up his feelings and said: “It’s a mix of disappointment, anger, rage, a bit of everything at the moment.

When asked to expand, he referred to VAR decisions and said: “This is football these days, I’ve been playing football for 23 years and I still don’t know the rules.

He was especially hurt by the penalty decision and said: “I’m not sure what a player is supposed to do when he’s running and the ball hits his hand from a meter away.

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“I’m not sure what he was supposed to do with his arm, but there was definitely a feeling that the margins were on his side today.”

He then said: “I’m not sure football and common sense go together anymore.”

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Crystal Palace defender Andersen also couldn’t contain his frustration after the game, saying: “It was crazy and not even a penalty. I can’t run with my arms behind my back and play football.

“He’s two feet away from me and hits the ball in my hand, so I can’t see what I can do to avoid it.”

And Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand was angry: “It was decided by VAR decisions. I have a photo here, it was one centimeter long (the impediment).

“Does not make sense. This is not how we should use VAR. It’s one centimeter.

I’m no longer sure if football and common sense go together

Kasper Schmeichel

“Then there was the penalty. I’m so tired of the ridiculous handball rules.

“We cannot demand that our defenders run with their hands at their sides. It’s not natural.

“Joachim was running normally. He jumps and is hit three feet. I rarely talk about these decisions.

“But they were decisive for this game. It’s frustrating. Being ahead 1-0 would have changed everything for our team.”

The game was also paused in the first half due to a thunderstorm, in unusual scenes in Germany.

The players were forced off the field after a tremendous lightning strike caused the heavens to open up with heavy rain.

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