Didi Hamann blasted the decision to award England a penalty for a challenge on Raheem Sterling as 'scandalous'.
England are through to a major final for the first time in 55 years after beating Denmark 2-1 after extra-time at Wembley.
But the decisive moment in the game came in the 102nd minute when Sterling was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area by Danish defender Joakim Maehle.
Harry Kane had his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel, but the England captain was on hand to poke the rebound into the net.
But former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Hamann blasted the penalty call.
"I think it's scandalous," he said on RTE.
"Obviously they saw the game out well after going ahead, but they won with a penalty which was a blatant dive. This is not in the spirit of the game.
"England always prides itself on being the home of fair play and no diving. We all remember what happened with [Jurgen] Klinsmann when he came to England and he dived, and then they had the celebration with the diving.
"Sterling probably thought the challenge was going to come, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. But Maehle pulls out of the tackle because he sees he can't get there. There is no contact whatsoever.
"VAR was brought in to rectify these decisions and change blatant mistakes by the referee. This is as blatant a mistake as you will see, and this is a European Championship semi-final. I feel sorry for the Danes."
