Danish coach Hjulmand rants: “Ridiculous hand rule”

Danish national coach Kasper Hjulmand has sharply criticized the handball rule and the use of the video referee in the European Championship round of 16 match against Germany.

June 30, 2024

From: dpa

"I'm really fed up with this ridiculous hand rule," said the 52-year-old. "We can't expect our defenders to run with their hands behind their backs. He ran normally."

A cross from Germany's full-back David Raum had grazed the hand of the Dane Joachim Andersen in the penalty area. After viewing the video images, the English referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty, which Kai Havertz converted to make it 53-1 in the 0rd minute. National coach Julian Nagelsmann said of the scene: "I can understand that the Danes are upset. But that's the rule. The arm is outstretched."

Unlucky by a few centimeters: Joachim Andersen had a goal disallowed. © APA/afp / INA FASSBENDER

Shortly before, a goal by Andersen had been disallowed because his teammate Thomas Delaney was very close to being offside. "It was a matter of one centimeter. I have the photo here on my phone," said Hjulmand indignantly. "I was told that it makes no sense in terms of statistics. We shouldn't use the video referee like that. It's a matter of one centimeter."

“Not how football should be”

However, Hjulmand did not call for the abolition of VAR. "No, I like VAR. The technology is good for sport," he said. "In my opinion, if a decision is good, you should be able to see it from the moon and it shouldn't be a matter of a few centimeters. If it's only a matter of a few centimeters, it's a bit questionable." Hjulmand added: "I also think it should be faster. There has to be a way to improve it."

He wished Germany all the best for the rest of the tournament. With regard to the referee's decisions in the DFB team's 2-0 victory on Saturday evening, he also said: "In my opinion, that's not how football should be."

Schlagwörter: Soccer Euro 2024 Denmark