Sergei Rebrov, Ukraine coach, believes that his team should have benefited from a penalty in stoppage time in the match against Italy (0-0). This could have validated his qualification for Euro 2024.
Ukraine cries scandal after a penalty not whistled in stoppage time against Italy (0-0), Monday in Leverkusen (Germany) during the last qualifying match for Euro 2024. According to coach Serguei Rebrov, his team should have obtained a penalty after a foul by Bryan Cristante on Mykhaïlo Mudryk (93rd). Despite the light contact, the Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano did not whistle anything and the VAR confirmed his decision. Much to the surprise of the Ukrainians.
“The referee was not called to check”
“For me, it was a penalty, there is no doubt about it,” said Rebrov after the match.
“But it’s not up to us to decide,” added the coach. “The referee was not called to check. There is the VAR, which obviously did not consider it appropriate to call the referee in front of the screen.”
With this draw, Ukraine finished third in the group, tied on points with Italy, second but with a worse particular difference. If they had scored in added time, they would then have validated their ticket to Euro 2024. All is not yet lost, however: Oleksandr Zinchenko’s teammates still have a chance to participate in the competition in Germany next summer through the Nations League play-offs (finished in second place).
UEFA will determine on Thursday through a draw which of Finland, Ukraine and Iceland will play in the League A path with Poland, Estonia while waiting to know which of Croatia or from Wales will complete the picture. If it fell into Path B, Ukraine could face Israel or Bosnia-Herzegovina.
