Criticized UEFA not considering Oranjepoule with Scotland and England was a mistake

Criticized UEFA not considering Oranjepoule with Scotland and England was a mistake | Football

Posted On: April 21, 2024

4 dec 2023 om 14:18 Update: 4 maanden geleden

UEFA does not think there was any wrongdoing if Scotland and England were placed in the Orange Women’s group of the Nations League. The European Football Association was criticized as Scotland benefited from a poor result against England ahead of the Olympics, at the expense of the Netherlands.

If the Netherlands beat Belgium on Tuesday, England will need a big win against Scotland to win the group. This is the only way to keep the British team’s Olympic dream alive. Since Scotland could also be selected for this Olympic team, they benefit from a big loss.

In a statement to NU.nl, UEFA denied the criticism that had arisen as a result of this group division. “Scotland had no direct influence on England’s qualification. “The reason is, England also has to win one match in the final round if they win the group to qualify for the Olympics.”

“The system is designed in such a way that teams have a sporting goal to fight for until the end. Not only group victory, but also promotion or relegation to another League is at stake,” wrote UEFA.

This is no longer the case in Scotland. National coach Pedro Martínez Losa’s team was already certain of relegation before the last match. “Nevertheless, a team still plays to achieve the highest ranking possible. This can affect the distribution of the draw pot,” wrote UEFA.

UEFA does not appear to want to prevent such group divisions in the future. “It would essentially challenge the existing principles of the draw and impact other teams. Restricting the draw could disadvantage other teams, for example by reducing potential Pot 1 opponents for other teams in the Scottish pot.”

Uitgangspositie Oranje richting Spelen

Europese landen kunnen zich alleen via de finaleronde van de Nations League plaatsen voor de Olympische Spelen. Finalisten krijgen een olympisch ticket. Als gastland Frankrijk de eindstrijd haalt, mag ook de winnaar van de troostfinale naar de Spelen.

Alleen groepswinnaars gaan door naar de finaleronde. Zowel Nederland, Engeland als België kan groep A nog winnen. Bij een gelijk puntenaantal is het doelsaldo doorslaggevend.

Nederland neemt het dinsdag om 20.45 uur op tegen België in het Koning Willem II Stadion in Tilburg. Engeland begint tegelijkertijd in Glasgow aan het duel met Schotland. Engeland won de vorige wedstrijd tegen Schotland met 2-1.