Furious German media say England Lionesses 'cheated'…

Furious German media say England Lionesses 'cheated' at Euro 2022 'Wembley Scam'

German media has slammed England's Euro 2022 victory as a 'scam' after issues were raised with a penalty they feel should have been awarded.

The Lionesses claimed the coveted cup for the first time, thanks to an extra-time winner over their opponents who dominated the competition. Chloe Kelly's last minute strike, coupled with Ella Toone's earlier goal were enough to claim victory over the German national team on the night itself.

Earlier in the match though, while the game was goalless, Germany felt aggrieved that they were not awarded a penalty - after the match ball looked to strike the arm of England captain Leah Wilkinson during a goal mouth scramble. Referee Kateryna Monzul didn't see enough in it, and VAR confirmed the referees lack of suspicion, also not awarding the spot kick.

And The Mirror reports that this has left those in Germany fuming, with leading publication Bild claimed the two-time world champions were "scammed" and "cheated". They also added: "Wembley fraud again! Even with video evidence, we are being scammed. In the 2-1 defeat after extra time we are cheated again almost exactly 56 years after the Wembley goal scandal."

These comments come amid continued debate as to whether one of Geoff Hurst's goals in the 1966 final did actually cross the line during England's 4-2 World Cup win.

Germany boss Martina Voss-Tecklenburg also conceded that the error was not acceptable, saying: "At this level, in the final of the European Championships, this shouldn’t happen. I’d like to have a discussion why did no one look at it? This is something I would really like to ask. It happened to us today, but if it had happened to them I would feel the same. It really bothers me."

She added: "I’m thinking about the situation at 0-0, there was a clear situation in the box which was a clear handball. VAR looked at it but didn’t give it. Why didn’t the referee look at it? That hurt a little."

England cared little about their fortuitous call and revelled in their victory. Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman said: “I think what we’ve done is really incredible. I don’t think I’ve really realised what we’ve done, because I’ve not followed everything, but we know all of England is behind us.

"We have had so much support from our fans and I’m so proud of the team, the players and the staff. I will need a couple of days to realise what we have done. When I took the job you hope one thing, but we knew there was quality and such big potential in this country.

"You hope things will work out. That was one of my personal challenges. My challenge was to bring people together from another culture and it worked out. It’s something you dream of and hope for.”

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