Dietmar Hamann has slammed Raheem Sterling claiming he committed a “blatant dive” to win a penalty for England.
The Three Lions made history on Wednesday night, with an own goal from Simon Kjaer and Harry Kane’s rebounded spot kick earning them a place in the Euro 2020 final.
Kane’s goal came after Sterling was awarded a penalty thanks to a foul from Joakim Maehle.
Denmark’s players were furious with the decision, with replays showing that contact was minimal at best.
And Hamann, who turned out for Liverpool and Manchester City during his playing days, suggested the ‘dive’ went against the spirit of the game.
“I think it’s scandalous,” Hamann told 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.”
Arsene Wenger agreed with Hamann’s assessment, instead taking aim at the VAR for not allowing referee Danny Makelie the chance to review the incident.
"No penalty. In a moment like that, I don’t understand why they [the VAR] didn't ask the referee to have a look at it to be clear," Wenger said on beIN SPORTS.
"In a moment like that it's important the referee is absolutely convinced it was a penalty. It was not clear enough to say 'yes it is'.
"He should've at least had a look at the screen. I don’t know why the VAR didn't ask him to go."
Sterling brushed away any controversy over the decision, saying that it was an easy decision for the referee
“Yeah, I went into the box, he stuck his right leg out and he touched my legs so it’s a clear penalty.”
