UEFA Euro 2008 controversies

This article gives information about controversies that occurred at UEFA Euro 2008.

Refereeing
Disputed decisions
Netherlands v Italy (Group Stage)
In the Netherlands' opening Group C match against Italy, Ruud van Nistelrooy scored the Oranjes first goal from a seemingly offside position. The incident occurred in the 26th minute when van Nistelrooy stuck out a foot to divert Wesley Sneijder's shot into the net, with only Gianluigi Buffon closer to the goal line after defender Christian Panucci had been bundled out of play (by Italian keeper Buffon). However, UEFA later confirmed that since Panucci had left the field of play without the referee's permission, he was deemed to be still active and therefore playing van Nistelrooy onside, meaning the goal was awarded correctly. However, when the offside rules takes into consideration an active player, it is stated that the player is active only if he leaves the pitch voluntarily.

Austria v Poland (Group Stage)
English official Howard Webb caused controversy on June 12 2008 by awarding a 90th minute penalty to Austria in their second Group B match against Poland, which finished as 1-1 draw. He ruled that Polish defender Mariusz Lewandowski had pulled the shirt of the Austrian player Sebastian Prödl at a free-kick and scored the penalty. After the game, Poland coach Leo Beenhakker, who was still waiting for a win at a major tournament, reacted furiously to the decision, saying "It's impossible to accept but I'm working on it". Earlier in the game, Roger Guerreiro had scored for Poland from an offside position.

Romania v Italy (Group Stage)
In the Group C match between Romania and Italy, Luca Toni's headed goal just before half time whistle was ruled out for offside when replays clearly showed that Toni was clearly two yards onside. In the same match, with 10 minutes remaining, the referee then awarded a penalty against Christian Panucci for a supposed shirt tug on Daniel Niculae.

Seeding controversy

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