BBC pundit sent home from Euro 2024 as ‘devastated’ former player speaks out | Football | Sport
Rachel Corsie has admitted to being ‘devastated’ after the BBC ended her Euro 2024 campaign. The pundit had been called upon by the broadcaster for Scotland’s matches at the tournament but has now revealed that she is going home following her country’s elimination.
Scotland suffered a devastating defeat against Hungary on Sunday, ending their chances of qualifying for the knockout phase of a major tournament for the first time. Kevin Csoboth’s sucker-punch 99th-minute goal sealed Scotland’s fate.
Their exit from the tournament means Scotland women’s captain Corsie will no longer be required for punditry by the BBC. The 34-year-old impressed with her analysis of Steve Clarke’s side in Germany.
Corsie, who plays her club football for Aston Villa in the WSL, wrote on social media platform X: “Devastated to be going home. Very grateful to @BBCSport for my @EURO2024 experience.
“Also, thanks to everyone for your kind support.”
Corsie was left furious by the failure to award Scotland a penalty against Hungary. The 34-year-old and fellow BBC pundits Alan Shearer and David Moyes unanimously agreed that Argentine referee Facundo Tello should have awarded a spot-kick for a foul on Stuart Armstrong.
The Scotland midfielder appeared to be through on goal when he went down under a challenge by Willi Orban.
Corsie said: “It’s a clear penalty. If the referee is choosing not to give that decision as a penalty, he must have not seen it clearly.”
The 34-year-old observed that Hungary had a clear game plan to allow Scotland to enjoy possession. Clarke’s players struggled to break down the Hungarian defence and managed just one shot on target – taken by Grant Hanley in the 96th minute.
“Hungary clearly have done their homework,” Corsie said.
“They obviously felt if you allow Scotland to have the ball they’ll struggle to break you down and create clear opportunities.”
Scotland boss Clarke was critical of the VAR officials who refused to overrule Tello’s on-field decision not to award Scotland a spot-kick. He said in his press conference: “100 per cent penalty. Somebody somewhere has to explain to me why that’s not a penalty. It’s 100 per cent a penalty.
“It’s a one-goal game, we get the penalty, it could be a different night. I’ve got other words, but I’m not going to use them.
“It’s a European competition, it might have been better to have a European referee. The VAR was European, maybe the referee didn’t see the foul clearly on the pitch, but what’s the point in VAR if they’re not going to come in on something like that. It was a penalty.”