Ex-Liverpool star has reached final straw as he shares 'serious worry for future'

Liverpool legend Didi Hamann has vented his frustration on social media over VAR in the wake of Germany's 2-0 win against Denmark at Euro 2024.

The hosts saw off the Danes in a game that was interrupted due to extreme weather conditions for a period of time. The game resumed but was then filled with controversy, with VAR playing a major part in prompting exasperation from former players.

The main bone of contention for many was the penalty given to Germany in the second half, when left-back David Raum crossed the ball just inside the box. The ball hit the hand of Denmark's Joachim Andersen on its way and VAR flagged referee Michael Oliver to a potential penalty situation.

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Oliver applied the letter of the law but the decision proved very harsh, considering the proximity of Andersen to Raum. Kai Havertz scored the resulting penalty but the likes of Ian Wright, Roy Keane and current Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglu all criticized the decision while on air for ITV's coverage of the game.

Hamann, meanwhile, took to X to vent his fury, saying he 'worries for the future of the game.' "Never believed VAR was going to work," said Hamann. "Took the good with the bad but tonight is the first time I seriously worry about our beautiful game."

Germany eventually went on to win the game 2-0, but Havertz's penalty changed the trajectory of the match, with the score line 0-0 at the time of the handball incident.

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand also took aim at the nature of the rules surrounding handball, saying in his post-match press conference: "I’m so tired of the ridiculous handball rules. We cannot require our defenders to run with arms like this [flat to their side], it’s not natural. Joachim is running normally, it’s a normal situation. He jumped up and was hit by one metre. I rarely talk about decisions but it was very decisive in our game."

Germany now advance to the quarter final, where it will face the winner of Spain and Georgia in Stuttgart on July 5.

Liverpool.com says: Anyone who watched the Germany-Denmark game can't help but feel a little sorry for Andersen and Denmark. VAR has been a good thing, but the handball rule is fast making the game increasingly difficult for defenders, especially when inside their own box.