Scotland should not have been awarded a penalty against Hungary, says Uefa
Stuart Armstrong was bowled over by Willi Orban in the Hungary box but Uefa's head of refereeing says the Scotland midfielder initiated the contact - AP Photo/Matthias Schrader
The controversial decision to deny Scotland a penalty in their tournament-ending defeat by Hungary was the correct call, Uefa’s head of referees has said.
Roberto Rosetti, Uefa’s managing director of refereeing, has also suggested that a penalty could have been given against Scotland earlier in the game, because of a potential foul by John McGinn.
Scotland were furious about the decision not to award a late penalty after Stuart Armstrong was brought down by Hungary defender Willi Orban in the penalty area, with the score at 0-0. Replays showed that Orban’s right knee had gone into the back of Armstrong’s leg.
After the match, Scotland head coach Steve Clarke demanded answers as to how a penalty was not given and even questioned why an Argentinian referee had been appointed for the match.
Rosetti has now explained that the officials deemed Armstrong to have “moved towards” the defender and therefore that the Scotland attacker had initiated the contact himself.
“This was a very tough game with a couple of controversial incidents,” said Rosetti. “There was one, for example, in minute 68, when there was a possible penalty because No 7 of Scotland, John McGinn, was pulling the opponent’s shirt. This was one of the possible penalties.
Rosetti asked Scottish journalists why they were focusing on Orban's 'foul' and not McGinn's earlier shirt-pulling in his own penalty area - LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images
“Then there was, of course, in minute 79, in the Hungary penalty area, another incident. The attacker of Scotland, Armstrong, was in front of the Hungarian. If you watch from the behind camera, there was a movement of the attacker towards the Hungarian. Another controversial decision.
“Of course the VARs are checking everything. The VAR checked this situation. And they decided this was just physical contact. This is what happened.
“For the VAR there was no intervention because, in their opinion, the attacker changed direction towards the defender. In his opinion it was just a physical contact, trying to challenge the defender. It was checked and there was no intervention.”
Pressed by Scottish reporters on the decision, Rosetti replied: “In this match there were two controversial situations. Two. Two. OK? One was clear pulling in the penalty area [by McGinn] but you [the reporter] did not mention it. And then there was also the Armstrong situation. This was checked and it was decided in this way.”
Speaking after the match on Sunday, which resulted in Scotland finishing fourth in Group A, Clarke had said: “Somebody somewhere has to explain to me why that is not a penalty. It is 100 per cent. It’s a one-goal game. If we get a penalty, it would be a different night. I have other words but I am not going to use them.
“It is a European competition. It might have been better to have a European referee. But we had a European VAR. Maybe the referee did not see the challenge clearly on the pitch, so what is the purpose of VAR if they are not going to come in on something like that? It is a penalty.
“Why is it not given? I need an answer. I need to know why that is not given. I have got words for it but I like my money.”
Meanwhile, Uefa are delighted with the success of their new directive which states that only captains will be allowed to approach referees to speak about decisions. Any other player who approaches the referee is at risk of being booked, with Uefa keen to stop referees being mobbed by groups of players.
Uefa says its ruling that only captains — such as Cristiano Ronaldo — can talk to the referee will be maintained for European club competitions - Hesham Elsherif/Anadolu via Getty Images
Uefa will now continue this approach in all of their club competitions next season, while leagues and associations across Europe are also set to implement it in their own divisions.
“Our first feedback is extremely positive – it works,” said Rosetti. “Speaking with the players, with the coaches, before the games, after the matches, they are absolutely happy about this implementation.
“The captains are responding in a very positive way and also, for the other players, it’s easier because now they don’t go anymore to the referee. They don’t mob the referee anymore. I think this is something extremely positive for football.
“We have already received requests from important national associations in Europe, because they really want to follow this line. I have received calls from chiefs of refereeing from the countries and also national associations.
“This will be implemented, for sure, in all the Uefa competitions and we are happy that also the national associations want to follow us.”
Refereeing chiefs in England have long been keen to crack down on dissent and improve the behaviour of players in the Premier League and the EFL.
In July last year, a new charter was launched which empowered referees to take more robust action by issuing yellow and red cards for poor behaviour. As part of that charter, captains were asked to take more responsibility and other players were warned that they faced cards for surrounding the referee.
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