The Spaniards were dissatisfied with the performance of the referees at the match against Ukraine and urged the local football federation to ask UEFA why the organisation considered the youth teams' tournament second-rate and did not want to use VAR. The Spaniards are also confident that their team was stronger than Ukraine, but suffered because of poor implementation.
Photo: gettyimages.comPrieto: Spain were stronger, we created many chances and by some miracle managed not to convert them. We should have won comfortably by 2-3 goals. Instead, we created problems for ourselves and almost lost. I think the coach will make the right personnel decisions after such a controversial match.
Santi: It`s fashionable nowadays to say "we`re with Ukraine". I think that after a strange decision of the referee this phrase takes on a new meaning. The referees in this match today were definitely with Ukraine and tried to support it as they know how to do so.
If not for the cancelled goal, things would have turned out differently. I think Spain would have won 4-1 or 3-1. But definitely didn't try to equalize in the final minutes.
Biancone: UEFA are saving money. While making billions of dollars from football, Ceferin and his friends cannot provide video replays at the European Youth Championships. It's one of the most important tournaments in Europe, and you pretend it doesn't matter. Unless you come to hang medals around players' necks after the final match.
Perico: Shame on UEFA and those who invited these referees. It seems to me that European referees have already forgotten that it is possible to work normally without video replays. Therefore, when there is no VAR, they always make mistakes. And sometimes they are very serious mistakes which can affect the outcome of the match.
Cardenas: Both coaches have put substitutes on the field. Yes, both teams have already reached the quarterfinals, but it is also important to take the first place to avoid playing against France in the play-offs. And to have a better chance of qualifying for the Olympics afterwards. Spain was in control of the situation, but why Ukraine gave up first place so easily is a mystery to me.
Bamby: Ukrainian defenders made so many mistakes that Spain should have scored 4-5 goals and won by a landslide. We did not take such chances that the players should be ashamed of themselves after it. You can swear at the referee, but remember to also look in the mirror and ask why you cannot beat the goalkeeper in a simple situation.
Ferri: If the referee already in the 20th minute shows so blatantly that he will judge in favour of one team, it will be a strong psychological blow for any player, what to say about the young lads. After that Spain had to come to their senses. The draw is not the best result, but the main thing is that we are still in first place in the group.
Avilla: Unfortunately, at this European championship there are a lot of strange mistakes. Italy and Belgium have already suffered, the more so for Spain. But UEFA says that it does not make sense to use VAR in group stage. Very strange statements.
Bolanos: Not happy with the way the team played. The substitutes have played poorly and have shown they are unworthy to be fielded from the opening minutes. Ukraine is not the contender who should have caused us big problems, especially with the second team.
Teodoro: When I saw that the referee had cancelled the goal I choked on my beer with laughter. You had to think of something like that! That's why there was no VAR in the group stage, so that the referees could help the teams that UEFA wanted in the quarter-finals. How do they say in the movies after a murder? Just business, nothing personal.
Jarquin: Everyone has now remembered what it was like before they started using VAR. It was possible to kick any team out of the tournament with the help of the referees. Such mistakes, as in the match Spain vs Ukraine, were very much before. I had hoped not to see this happen again, but UEFA are in no hurry to implement VAR in all competitions. Even in tournaments where it can be very easily done.
It's not that the referee is bad. It's just that the head referee and the linesman were in an uncomfortable position, so they made such a strange decision. I don't believe that the referee could have deliberately disallowed a goal to help Ukraine. That would be too much even for UEFA.
Valpia: Just don't let this referee work outside his country anymore. It even seemed to me that he had already turned his back on the ball at that moment, as he was sure that the Ukrainians were going to attack. It just looks like a very poor quality referee. I don't know what he is doing at such a serious tournament.
If Ukraine reach the final, this referee will definitely be appointed for this match. Everyone understands why. Although I would not even allow this referee to judge amateur clubs' matches.
Berrio: Everyone pretend that nothing terrible has happened. I understand that our football federation does not want a scandal now, as we drew and stayed in first place. But if we don't shout at UEFA after such mistakes of the referees, they will think that everything is ok and that nothing will change for the better.
Velas: Ukraine has a strong team, good players, interesting coach. Ukraine and Georgia are two teams that have pleasantly surprised at Euro 2023. That`s why I think that the referee has only spoiled the reputation of Ukrainians by his strange help. Ukraine is a strong contender and I am glad that we played in the third round, when everything was already clear.
Palomino: Our coaching staff should print a huge picture of this moment and send it to the referees. Let them hang it up instead of a mirror and look at it every morning. I understand that referees can make mistakes, but not that rude!
Amaya: Congratulations to Spain, you've accomplished the minimum task. I have something to say to the referee. I think he is a coward because he was afraid to score a clean goal against Ukraine. But, anyway, our team had to play better and score more. And we shouldn't have allowed Ukraine to trouble the goalkeeper so often.
Hojuela: The referee was on the side of Ukraine and tried hard to help them. The goalkeeper loses the ball from his hands and nobody touches him. How could one see a foul in such a situation? Everyone knows that Lithuania strongly supports Ukraine. But let's play fair in sport, without such obvious help. Fortunately, there will be VAR in the quarterfinals, because refereeing mistakes happen all the time at this European Championship.
Mori: Unfortunately, it's quite possible that the referees will then just deliberately "drown" those who are too much against UEFA. Alas, this mafia structure has too much control in football. This is wrong, but we should keep silent now and speak out after the tournament is over. And file an official complaint to UEFA about this team.
Anton Prokopov
