Ian Wright forced to step in as Gary Neville unleashes furious rant live on air ahead of England game

Gary Neville pulled no punches as he absolutely ripped into VAR’s decision to award a penalty to Germany against Denmark.

Germany beat Denmark 2-0 on Saturday to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

Arsenal star Kai Havertz opened the scoring in Dortmund with a second-half penalty, which was awarded in hugely controversial fashion.

Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box following a contentious VAR review.

After the game, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou slammed VAR for awarding a penalty to the Germans.

And speaking ahead of England‘s last-16 game against Slovakia on Sunday, Neville echoed the sentiments of Postecoglou.

Neville unleashed a stunning rant about VAR as Ian Wright was forced to step in.

On ITV, he exclaimed: “I was actually offended. On behalf of every defender that basically goes to block a cross. That knows there’s an element of your hand having to be somewhere wide of your body.

“It’s so close. It’s an absolute disgrace and a joke of a decision that a nation can go out of this tournament based upon something like that.

“I feel more offended purely because I played as a right-back and did that regularly. I was never once pulled up for that in my life, where the handball has gone, I have no idea.”

Wright chipped in: “Leave it…”

The former Manchester United defender added: “David Luiz was doing that for a few years in the PL and we actually ridiculed him for it because it looked. It’s not right, it’s an absolute joke, it’s a poor reflection on all officiating but all rule makers because I accept there are rules that referees think they have to follow but they have to change that.

“There is no football person who has played the game or watched the game that wants that as a penalty.”

After taking the lead from the spot, Germany went onto score a second goal courtesy of Jamal Musiala, who slotted home in the 68th minute.

Germany progressed to the next round at the expense of Denmark, who were left raging over the decision to award the tournament hosts a penalty.

Andersen, who also had a goal ruled out, said: “It was crazy and not a penalty at all. I can’t run around with my arms behind my back and play football.

“He’s [Raum] half a metre away from me and hits the ball on my hand, so I can’t see what I could do to prevent it.”

Asked if he had spoken to referee Michael Oliver after the decisions, he said: “You can’t speak to the referees nowadays.”