Netherlands coach feels VAR got it wrong over disallowed goal at Euro 2024

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Xavi Simons of the Netherlands, center, celebrates after scoring a goal that was then disallowed for offside during the Group D match between the Netherlands and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Xavi Simons of the Netherlands, right, celebrates after scoring a goal that was then disallowed for offside during the Group D match between the Netherlands and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Referee Anthony Taylor is surrounded by players as he waits for a fourth official decision on a goal by Xavi Simons of the Netherlands that was then disallowed for offside during the Group D match between the Netherlands and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Netherlands’ head coach Ronald Koeman walks on the touchline during the Group D match between the Netherlands and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Netherlands’ head coach Ronald Koeman gestures from the touchline during the Group D match between the Netherlands and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Netherlands’ head coach Ronald Koeman stands with players on the side line at the beginning of a Group D match between the Netherlands and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Mathias Schrader)

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Xavi Simons of the Netherlands, front, is challenged by Aurelien Tchouameni of France during the Group D match between the Netherlands and France at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman feels his team had a goal wrongly ruled out in its 0-0 draw with France at the European Championship on Friday.

Xavi Simons thought he scored in the 69th minute when he fired inside the right post from a rebound after France goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved Memphis Depay’s effort.

The linesman raised his flag and a lengthy VAR check found Denzel Dumfries, who was offside, obstructed Maignan from attempting to save Xavi’s shot.

“Dumfries is offside. That’s true. But he isn’t disturbing the goalkeeper. And when that is not happening, then it’s a legal goal in my opinion,” Koeman said at the post-game press conference.

“And you need five minutes to check it because it’s so difficult? I don’t understand this,” he added. “In my opinion, once again, he’s not disturbing the goalkeeper.”

France counterpart Didier Deschamps agreed with Koeman about the VAR check taking too long, but he felt Dumfries was clearly obstructing the goalkeeper.

“When I saw the images, I thought it was a no-brainer,” Deschamps said.

Their teams’ draw was the first goalless game at Euro 2024.

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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024