UEFA referees' chief explains why Scotland weren't awarded a penalty in Hungary controversy

UEFA’s managing director for refereeing Roberto Rosetti believes the decision not to award Scotland a penalty as they crashed out of Euro 2024 at the hands of Hungary was the correct one, because Stuart Armstrong initiated the contact with defender Willi Orban.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke was furious after the decision went against his team in their final group match, which they lost 1-0.

With just over 10 minutes to go, Armstrong went down in the box after colliding with Hungary defender Orban - but referee Facundo Tello waved play on.

Rosetti has now confirmed that VAR checked the incident and he is happy with the conclusion they came to due to a belief that Armstrong initiated the contact.

“This was a very tough game with also a couple of controversial incidents,” Rosetti said.

“There was one, for example, in minute 68, when there was a possible penalty because No7 of Scotland, John McGinn, was pulling the opponent’s shirt. This was one of the possible penalties.

“Then there was of course, in minute 79, in the Hungary penalty area, another incident. The attacker of Scotland, Armstrong, was in front of the Hungarian. If you watch from the behind camera, there was a movement of the attacker towards the Hungarian. Another controversial decision.

“Of course the VARs are checking everything. The VAR checked this situation. They checked the previous one and they checked also the second one. And they decided this was just physical contact. This is what happened.

“For the VAR there was no intervention because there was, in their opinion, the attacker changed the direction towards the defender.

“In his opinion it was just a physical contact, trying to challenge the defender. It was checked and there was no intervention.”

The incident in the Scotland game is one of few controversial decisions at the Euros so far.

On the whole, referees and VAR have been praised for their performances and Rosetti is particularly pleased with the success of the new directive of only captains being able to talk to officials. Brought in for this tournament, it was done so to ensure players do not crowd referees when they are making decisions.

Rosetti has confirmed the directive will be used in all UEFA competitions next season, including the Champions League, and he is expecting other leagues to follow suit as well.

“Our first feedback is extremely positive - it works,” he said.

“Also speaking with the players, with the coaches, before the games, after the matches, they are absolutely happy about this implementation. I also had some talks with top players after the matches and they like [it]. Everyone is happy.

“The process is positive. The referees now are giving information to the captain. The captains are responding in a very positive way and also, for the other players, it’s easier because now they don’t go anymore to the referee. They don’t mob the referee anymore.

“I think this is something extremely positive for football.

“We have already received requests from important national associations in Europe, because they really want to follow this line. I have received calls from chiefs of refereeing from the countries and also national associations.

“This will be implemented, for sure, in all the UEFA competitions and we are happy that also the national associations want to follow us.”