"The referee ran back inside straight after the full-time whistle" - Virgil van Dijk speaks out after Netherlands' loss in Euro 2024 SF

Netherlands star Virgil van Dijk criticized the referee after the Dutch bowed out of the Euro 2024 on Wednesday (July 10). England beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals to set up a meeting with Spain in the title clash.

In a post-match interview with beIN Sports, van Dijk suggested that referee Felix Zwayer was partial toward England as he awarded them a controversial penalty in the first half.

"It says it all that the ref went in quite quickly after the game and I had no time to shake his hand. But listen; it is what it is. The game is done. We lost. It's very tough to take. Certain moments, it was obvious that it should have gone our way. It didn't. It's always tough," van Dijk said (via beIN Sports' X handle).

Asking for the officials to be held responsible, van Dijk added:

"They [referees] keep changing certain things. Small changes that could have big impacts, but maybe it's a good thing that they could be held accountable as well. Let them come here and speak to you guys and explain themselves in certain moments, like we have to explain ourselves when we do something wrong as well. I think that might be something."

Fans and pundits have debated the referee and VAR's penalty call in the first half of the match. A penalty was awarded to England in the 18th minute after a foul on Harry Kane by Denzel Dumfries. At this point, the Netherlands were leading 1-0 after Xavi Simons had scored the game's first goal in the seventh minute.

Kane was about to take a shot but his leg collided with Dumfries and he stumbled inside the Dutch penalty box. It could be considered controversial, given that Dumfries went for the ball and not the player. Kane converted the kick for England and equalized. Finally, Ollie Watkins scored for the Three Lions (90+1'), leading them to a 2-1 win.

England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday (July 14) in Berlin.

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Denzel Dumfries takes full responsibility for Netherlands conceding penalty in Euro 2024 semi-final clash

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Denzel Dumfries spoke about the referee's penalty call in favor of England. The player did not call it a wrong decision and instead took responsibility for the supposed foul on Harry Kane.

"I take all responsibility for the penalty moment. I didn't do it on purpose. I just wanted to block the shot," he said (via AFC AJAX's X handle).

Despite the Netherlands defender's words, pundits continue to have their opinions and doubts after the referee and VAR's call.

However, according to The Mirror, one of the UEFA's rules grants penalties in cases in which a player "threatens injury to an opposing player."

The rule says:

"It is committed with an opponent nearby and prevents the opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury. Playing in a dangerous manner involves no physical contact between the players."

"If there is physical contact, the action becomes an offense punishable with a direct free kick or penalty kick. In the case of physical contact, the referee should carefully consider the high probability that misconduct has also been committed."

While Netherlands' Dumfries went for the ball and not the player, he posed a serious threat of injury for Kane, which was why UEFA granted England a penalty.