Fans claim Kai Havertz’s goal against Denmark shouldn’t have stood after ‘illegal’ act from Germany star
FANS have claimed Kai Havertz’s penalty against Denmark should not stood in Germany’s 2-0 win after he appeared to come to a full stop in his run up.
The Germany star’s spot kick was awarded just seconds after Joachim Andersen‘s opener was ruled offside in the 51st minute.
And it was VAR 2-O Andersen after the same Dane conceded the penalty for a handball after blocking David Raum’s cross.
The controversy arose after Havertz came to a complete stop midway up to slotting home past Kasper Schmeichel.
But fans have expressed their frustrations with the lack of rules that fail to prevent players stopping and stuttering in their run ups.
In fact, Havertz did nothing wrong according to Uefa’s laws.
The law states: “The kicker must not stop or feint (pretend to kick the ball) at the end of their run-up – they must kick it immediately.
“But feinting in the run-up is permitted.”
But goalkeepers are penalised for moving off the line before the penalty taker kicks the ball.
As was witnessed in France’s draw with Poland, when Robert Lewandowski was allowed to re-take his spot kick to finish the game 1-1.
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Lewandowski, on a ridiculous shuffle run-up, saw Mike Maignan save the kick, but the goalkeeper had moved beyond his line.
Taking to X, one fan wrote: “That pen is illegal. You shouldn’t be able to completely stop during run up.”
Another said: “You should not be allowed to stop on the run up in a penalty, so unfair on the keeper.”
A third declared: “Your not supposed to completely stop. Why aren’t players being pulled up on it.”
A fourth said: “These stutter run-up penalties getting out of hand. Havertz fully stopped his run, should be disallowed.”
Elsewhere, Germany were controversially denied an early goal during their Euro 2024 round of 16 clash by English referee Michael Oliver.
Nico Schlotterbeck rose to head home Toni Kroos‘ fourth minute corner, only for Oliver to blow up for a supposed foul by Joshua Kimmich.
Germany went onto beat the Danes 2-0 after Jamal Musiala‘s 68th minute strike brought him to the top of Euro’s scoring charts.
The match was suspended in the 37th minute after torrential rain and thunder stormed the pitch – it got back underway 25 minutes later.