Euro 2024: Spanish Referee Gil Manzano Dismissed by UEFA, Other Officials Sent Home
Amidst the heated matches of Euro 2024, a major development has occurred off the field. Spanish referee Gil Manzano has been dismissed from the tournament with immediate effect, while three other Spanish officials have also been sent home.
Manzano’s Dismissal
Manzano, who has officiated several El Clasico matches in La Liga, was criticized for his performance in Euro 2024, particularly for his decision to send off Jude Bellingham in a controversial La Liga fixture last season.
According to reports, UEFA has dismissed Manzano due to his overall performances at the tournament. The Spanish referee made headlines for the wrong reasons when he yellow-carded Kylian Mbappe for reentering the pitch without his instruction during France’s match against Austria.
Departure of Other Spanish Officials
In addition to Manzano, three other Spanish officials have been sent home:
* Alejandro Hernandez, the VAR official who dismissed Scotland’s penalty claim against Hungary
* Diego Barbero and Angel Nevado, Manzano’s two assistant referees
Concerns Raised
The dismissal and departure of these Spanish officials have raised concerns about the representation of Spain in Euro 2024. It is the first time in the history of the tournament that no Spanish official will be present in the knockout stages.
Former La Liga referee Iturralde Gonzalez called on the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to address the situation and improve relations with UEFA.
Implications for Scotland and Austria
The dismissal of Hernandez has implications for Scotland, who were denied a clear penalty in their 1-0 defeat to Hungary. Scotland manager Steve Clarke expressed his frustration, stating that VAR should have intervened in such a crucial moment.
Meanwhile, Austria was also critical of Manzano’s performance in their 1-0 loss to France. Head coach Ralf Rangnick questioned the referee’s decision to award a goal kick instead of a corner, which could have had a significant impact on the match’s outcome.
Looking Ahead
With the knockout stages of Euro 2024 approaching, the officiating team will be under immense scrutiny. The departure of experienced Spanish officials will undoubtedly affect the tournament’s atmosphere and the decisions made on the field.
UEFA’s decision to dismiss Manzano and send home other Spanish officials sends a strong message that performances must meet a certain standard at major tournaments. It remains to be seen if other referees will be held accountable for controversial decisions as Euro 2024 progresses.
Mehek