EURO 2024: “HE LEFT PRETTY QUICKLY!” VAN DIJK TAKES AIM AT REFEREE WHO FLED THE PITCH AFTER NETHERLANDS-ENGLAND

Virgil Van Dijk has lamented the referee’s lack of explanation for his decisions during England’s 2-1 Euro semi-final win over the Netherlands. The Dutch defender particularly regretted seeing the official dodge a handshake after the match in order to leave the pitch as quickly as possible.

A magnificent strike from Xavi Simons got the Netherlands’ semi-final against England off to a perfect start on Wednesday. But a few minutes later, Harry Kane cooled the Dutch on a penalty. A decision that turned the match around and allowed the Three Lions to quickly equalise and then qualify for the Euro 2024 final after Ollie Watkins’ goal in the final moments (2-1) . While VAR played an important role in this whistle, Virgil Van Dijk denounced the central referee’s behaviour after his team’s elimination.

“I don’t know if I should say anything about this decision. I’ve already spoken a bit about it to the Dutch media. But I think it sums it up when you know that the referee left quite quickly after the match,” the Oranje and Liverpool defender fumed on the English channel of beIN Sports. “That he didn’t even have time to shake our hands. Listen, what happened happened, I can’t… The match is over, we lost and it’s quite hard to take.”

“It’s hard to accept”

Having emerged from the group stage in a dismal third place behind Austria and France, the Netherlands then raised their level of play to reach the last four of Euro 2024. Dominant against England, Ronald Koeman ‘s protégés ultimately saw their ambition shattered on the gloves of Jordan Pickford…and also a little on the decisions of the German Felix Zwayer and his assistants.

“It’s obvious that it should have gone our way but it didn’t. It’s always difficult you know, I don’t know what to say, it’s hard to accept,” Virgil Van Dijk regretted after the defeat against the Three Lions. “I’m full of emotions, it’s been a very, very long and very difficult year. We had a big dream that we thought we could accomplish here as a team. Unfortunately we didn’t get there.”

And the Dutch captain concluded on the need for greater education from referees: “They continue to change things, small changes can have big impacts. It would be a good thing if the referees could also be held a little responsible and come and talk to you to explain themselves in certain situations as we have to do when we do something wrong. I think that could be an evolution. But hey, I shouldn’t talk about all that.”