In a highly debated moment during the England versus Netherlands match at Euro 2024, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) awarded a penalty to the English team. The decision came after a challenge by Denzel Dumfries on Harry Kane, which left the striker in pain. Although the penalty was scored by Kane, questions have been raised about the correctness of the decision.

The incident occurred in the 14th minute when England was on the attack, with Kane attempting a shot on goal. However, Dumfries caught him after he released the shot, causing him to go down in pain. Initially, the referee, Felix Zwayer, signaled for a goal kick. However, after VAR intervention, it became evident that they were reviewing a potential penalty.

The VAR decision to award the penalty to England was met with raised eyebrows. Following an unwritten law in football, it is generally accepted that if a defender catches an attacker after they have successfully released a shot on goal, there shouldn't be a penalty. This is because the attacking team has already completed their move, and it is believed they should not lose out due to the challenge.

Bastian Dankert, the VAR in this instance, has garnered a reputation as the most trusted assistant referee throughout the tournament. He deemed Dumfries' challenge as reckless due to the defender leading with his studs rather than making an attempt to kick through the ball. The recklessness of the challenge resulted in Dumfries receiving a yellow card.

However, the decision to award a penalty based on the nature of the challenge has been seen as a harsh intervention by Dankert. It is debated whether the incident reached the high threshold for a clear and obvious error, which is required for VAR intervention. Some argue that Kane's reaction, going down in pain, may have influenced the VAR's decision.

In UEFA competition, it is rare for a VAR intervention to be rejected by the on-field referee. This lack of rejection has added fuel to the discussions surrounding the decision-making process and the influence of the VAR.

As the analysis of every VAR decision made throughout Euro 2024 continues, the controversy surrounding this penalty awarded to England against Netherlands will undoubtedly be a topic of debate. The decision not only highlights the nuances of interpreting the laws of the game but also raises important questions about the consistency and threshold for VAR interventions.

Football fans will eagerly await further insights into the VAR protocol and hope for clarity in the application of the rules as Euro 2024 progresses.