Stuart Armstrong Scotland penalty snub 'astounds' ex Premier League referee as decision blasted

Mike Dean was left astounded by the decision not to award Scotland a penalty for a tackle on Stuart Armstrong.

Much of the talk in the wake of crashing out of Euro 2024 has centred around the call after Armstrong was dumped to the ground by Willi Orban who tried desperately to get back in and stop him from scoring. Steve Clarke highlighted it in his post-match interview, hitting out at the officials.

Earlier, we told how former Scottish referee Steve Conroy defended the whistler and claimed he got the decision right, his explanation being that the Southampton midfielder had actually made contact first. But Dean, who officiated at the top level in England, insists that contact wasn't enough for a foul, but the next challenge from Orban was.

Asked for his take, he told Sky Sports: "I was a bit surprised if I'm being honest with you. There was a bit of a tangle of upper body to start with but it's a clear foul. It's a clear knee on the back of the calf.

"Watching it in real time, I thought the referee was going to give the penalty. It just felt like a penalty to everyone watching the game. I was just surprised it wasn't given and even more surprised the VAR didn't get involved."

Asked why the VAR wouldn't have taken any action, he said: "I think he would have got involved. He's probably looked at it, the referee has probably given some explanation through the earpiece - maybe he said a tangle of legs, maybe the attacker's instigated the contact, who knows?

"Whichever way you look at it, it's just a clear penalty. They would have had a look at it and the VAR has just agreed with the referee, wrongly in my opinion and wrongly in everyone else's opinion.

"Scotland defended well, they had chances. They go 1-0 I wouldn't see Hungary scoring a goal. It's unfortunate for Scotland but it's just a clear penalty and i was astounded it wasn't given."

"I think so," he added when asked if VAR had left the referee down. "The referee has probably seen a tangle and whether he's said the Scotland player has got across and instigated the contact, maybe or maybe not.

"But if I was an attacker, you get in front of the defender and get a contact on the back of your leg, you expect it to be given. Either by the referee, the assistant or the VAR. The whole team of officials got it wrong on the evening."