Virgil van Dijk launched a diatribe against referee Felix Zwayer after England advanced to the Euro 2024 final.
The Three Lions advanced to the last two, where they will face Spain on Sunday in a bid to win their first European Championship, three years after losing in the final of Euro 2020.
After trailing through a Xavi Simons stunner, Harry Kane netted from the penalty spot on the back of a contentious call that involved a VAR check and was slammed by pundits and fans.
Then, on the edge of full time, Ollie Watkins scored off the bench to take England to Sunday’s final, although that goal was not without controversy, with the Netherlands claiming they should have been granted a corner in the build-up.
Following the game, captain Van Dijk blasted Zwayer for his performance, claiming that his full-time actions revealed the tale of how he performed.
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Virgil van Dijk (left) has called for officials to be ‘held accountable’ after Netherlands’ Euro 2024 exit
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The Dutch captain slammed referee Felix Zwayer for his performance in the semi-final clash with England
‘I had no time to shake his hand. But it is what it is, the game is done, we lost, certain moments were obvious that they should have gone our way, but they didn’t, whatever the outcome.
‘It is difficult to accept this. It has been a tough year. We had a big dream and we felt we could have achieved it.
‘They keep changing certain things, small changes that could have a big impact. Maybe it’s a good thing that they could be held accountable as well.
‘They didn’t come here and speak to you and explain themselves like we have to when we do something wrong.
‘That might be something. But I shouldn’t speak about others and we have to look at ourselves.’
Denzel Dumfries was found to have fouled Kane as the Three Lions captain blazed an attempt over the bar, with Gary Neville branded the decision ‘a disgrace’ on ITV punditry.
Jamie Carragher also slammed the judgement on social media, as many claimed the referee made the wrong choice, despite the fact that it benefited England.
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Van Dijk was booked for protesting a late call that led that went England’s way and led to the winning goal
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England were also awarded a controversial penalty in the first half for a foul on Harry Kane
