Offside Controversy! Why was the Dutch goal against France disallowed by the Euro 2024 referee?

JAKARTA – Dutch and French played a 0-0 draw after Xavi Simons’ goal was controversially disallowed by the referee for offside reasons. This problem immediately attracted public attention.

The offside controversy became the center of attention when Kylian Mbappe was absent Dutch and French drew 0-0 in Group D in Leipzig.

Xavi Simons thought he had given the Netherlands a late lead only to have the flag raised as Denzel Dumfries made an impact on the game. Anthony Taylor ruled it out with video assistant referee Stuart Attwell confirming the decision.

The decision was highly contentious as the ball headed towards the bottom corner with goalkeeper Mike Maignan apparently unprepared to dive. However, England officials ruled it out as the highly anticipated match ended in the first goalless draw of the tournament.

Didier Deschamps’ side were on top in a match that failed to progress without Mbappe, who remained on the bench after breaking his nose.

Antoine Griezmann had the best chance in front of goal, but couldn’t finish it. This draw means the Netherlands remains at the top of Group D, ahead of France on goal difference.

Poland, beaten 3-1 by Austria earlier in the day, became the first country to be eliminated from Euro 2024 as a consequence of the result.

Offside rule
According to the IFAB Laws of the Game, a player who is in an offside position when the ball is played or touched by a teammate is only subject to a penalty, if involved in active play by:

Interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a teammate or interfering with an opponent by: preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by obstructing the opponent’s clear view or challenging the opponent to take the ball or clearly attempting to play the ball close by when this action has an impact on the opponent or taking any obvious action that clearly has an impact on the opponent’s ability to play the ball