Spain fans ask ‘WTF is the point of VAR?’ after Declan Rice was not punished for bringing down Aymeric Laporte in the penalty area
Fans believe England were lucky not to have conceded a penalty after Declan Rice and Aymeric Laporte met in the final of Euro 2024.
The former Manchester City defender went down in the penalty area after being held by Rice for a Spanish corner in the first half, but French referee Francois Letexier waved away the team’s protests.
Replays showed the Arsenal midfielder holding his man for a considerable time before falling to the ground, but no penalty was awarded and a VAR check was no indication.
Some Spanish fans couldn’t believe the referee didn’t point to the spot, and some wondered why video technology is even in the game if it’s not used in situations like this.
“What is the point of VAR?” wrote one supporter on X after the incident. Another responded: “
Declan Rice was seen holding Aymeric Laporte in the penalty area when a corner came into the penalty area in the first half
Referee Francois Letexier waved away the protests from Laporte and his Spanish teammates
‘No penalty given for Spain. Declan Rice with both arms around Laporte. Tough decision!’
A third said: ‘Lmao England are the new Real Madrid. How can this not be a penalty for Spain?’
‘How Spain didn’t get a penalty, I don’t know. That was a penalty from Rice,’ said another.
Luis de la Fuente’s side had to make do with a corner, but the mood quickly improved after the break when winger Nico Williams opened the scoring.
