Domenico Tedesco frustrated by VAR drama as Belgium suffer Euro 2024 shock
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Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco shakes hands with Kevin de Bruyne after the 1-0 loss to Slovakia.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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FRANKFURT – Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco admitted he was frustrated by the controversial VAR (video assistant referee) decision that condemned his side to a shock 1-0 loss to Slovakia in their Euro 2024 opener on June 17.
Tedesco’s team were rocked by Ivan Schranz’s seventh-minute goal at Frankfurt Arena, but would have escaped with a draw, if Romelu Lukaku’s late strike had been allowed to stand.
After missing a host of chances in the Group E clash, Lukaku fired home from Lois Openda’s cross in the 86th minute. However, the striker’s celebrations were dramatically curtailed with the players in position to restart the game as VAR ruled that Openda had handled after being shoved into the ball earlier in the attack.
Lukaku also had an earlier goal disallowed for offside – correctly – when he scored from Amadou Onana’s header.
“It’s tough to speak. If we had won, I could tell you more about my opinion. But we lost and I want to be seen as a fair manager, so I don’t say anything,” Tedesco said.
“We have to trust these guys. I trust the VAR. If they decide it’s handball, we have to accept it.”
The Laws of the Game say if the ball strikes an attacking player’s arm while in the midst of a goalscoring move, regardless of arm position, intent, or any other qualifiers, a goal shall be chalked off.
But Uefa said in 2023 it wished to relax the whistling of handball offences with regard to deflections, and a long ball towards Openda looked to touch him before bouncing onto his hand, although none of the TV replays show it clearly.
The player was also held down by Denis Vavro as the ball arrived, offering further mitigation.
VAR aside, Belgium have made a habit of underachieving at major tournaments and once again they are in danger of wasting the potential of their talented squad.
Their first defeat in 16 games ended Tedesco’s unbeaten run since he replaced Roberto Martinez.
“For me, it hurts a lot tonight. I don’t want to point the finger at people. You can be sure we will speak about many things, but we will do it internally and not through the media,” the coach added.
“I knew we would lose one day but, unfortunately, it was today. Honestly, there is not much I can say to the team to improve. We created many chances, big chances. Of course, if we take one, then it makes the game easier.”
On Lukaku’s remarkably profligate performance, Tedesco said: “Romelu has been playing for Belgium for a long time. He knows how to score goals, I don’t need to tell him that. He is a top-class player with great character.”
Belgium face Romania, 3-0 winners against Ukraine on June 17, in a crucial clash on June 22.
Another loss would likely end their hopes of reaching the knockout stages and Tedesco warned: “I always said our group would be very tricky and shouldn’t assume that we will go through.” AFP, REUTERS
