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| UEFA Removes Spanish Referees from Euro 2024 After Controversial Decisions |
UEFA Removes Spanish Referees from Euro 2024 After Controversial Decisions
UEFA has taken the decision to dismiss two Spanish referees, Alejandro Hernández Hernández and Jesús Gil Manzano, from officiating at Euro 2024 following complaints about their performance in recent matches.
Hernández, who served as the VAR official, faced criticism for his decision to dismiss Scotland's penalty claim in their 1-0 loss to Hungary, while Manzano was under fire for his error during France's 1-0 victory over Austria.
In addition to the two referees, their assistants, Diego Barbero Sevilla and Ángel Nevado Rodríguez, have also been sent home. This leaves Martínez Munuera, a VAR official, as the only Spanish representative for the remainder of the tournament.
The decision has sparked calls from former La Liga referee Iturralde Gonzalez for the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to improve relations with UEFA, citing the need for a Spanish representative on the refereeing committee.
Meanwhile, Argentine referee Facundo Tello, who was involved in the controversial decision to dismiss Scotland's penalty protests against Hungary, has been named the fourth official for Italy's last-16 tie against Switzerland on Saturday.
The decisions have been met with frustration from Scotland manager Steve Clarke, who expressed his disappointment at the failure to award a penalty for a challenge on Stuart Armstrong, and from Austria, who felt they were denied a corner before conceding an own goal against France.
The controversy highlights the importance of accurate decision-making in high-stakes football matches and the need for effective communication between referees, VAR officials, and coaches.