Why VAR ruled out Romelu Lukaku goal for Belgium at Euro 2024 for handball
Lukaku twice saw goals ruled out for offside (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
Slovakia secured a famous victory over Belgium at Euro 2024 with Romelu Lukaku seeing two goals ruled out in a thrilling Group E clash.
In the first major shock of the competition in Germany, Slovakia sealed a 1-0 win over Domenico Tedesco’s side with Ivan Schranz scoring the only goal of the game after seven minutes following an error from Manchester City star Jeremy Doku.
After missing opportunities to level the game, Lukaku saw a would-be equaliser ruled out after tapping home from close range. Replays showed the former Manchester United star was stood in an offside position as he latched onto Amadou Onana’s knock down at the back post.
There was more drama in the 86th minute when Lukaku again found the back of the net. Lois Openda wriggled away from his man down the left to find the striker, who lashed past Martin Dubravka.
There was another VAR check however with referee Umut Meler urged to consult the pitch side monitor before judging Openda had handled the ball in the build-up.
The decision to penalise Openda looked harsh with the winger running at full-pelt under pressure from his marker as the ball bounced off his arm.
Former Premier League star Chris Sutton labelled the decision ‘scandalous’, telling BBC Sport: ‘It is ridiculous, it really is. Openda doesn’t intentionally push the ball into his path.
Lois Openda was judged to have committed the hand ball (Picture: Getty Images)
‘That is harsh. In the Premier League that goal would stand.’
Former referee Christina Unkel, who has been providing refereeing analysis for ITV during the competition, agreed with the VAR decision, believing the correct interpretation of the law had been applied.
She noted as Openda’s arm was extended ‘near or above shoulder level’, the correct decision was made.
‘The deliberate interpretation has changed recently. However, this is still going to be considered a deliberate handling offence for the fact that the arm is near or above the shoulder level,’ she said. ‘Even though he is running at momentum, because the arm is extended, that touch we saw helps him control the ball.
‘Those considerations are the ones that are going to point to it being considered unnatural from the referee’s interpretation, and the guidance and in the referee’s preferred decision, from not just Uefa but from IFAB a swell.’
Asked if the decision was harsh, she continued: ‘I think it is a very debateable decision. This is the recommended decision. But I think there are good arguments to be at in what is considered an unnatural position in this play. But this will still fall into one being punished by referees’