Scotland head coach Steve Clarke expressed his fury at the decision not to award his team a penalty as they suffered a dramatic exit from Euro 2024.
In the closing minutes of the match against Hungary in Stuttgart, substitute Stuart Armstrong fell in the Hungarian box under pressure from Willi Orban.
However, Argentine referee Facundo Tello allowed play to continue, and VAR official Alejandro Hernandez chose not to intervene.
“The biggest point in the game is the penalty kick,” Clarke said. “Why is it not given? I need an answer. I need to know why that’s not a penalty kick.
“I don’t understand how VAR can look at that and say it’s not a penalty. I’ve got words for it, but I like my money.”
Former England striker and BBC pundit Alan Shearer agreed that Scotland should have had a spot kick.
“The penalty decision was terrible,” he said. “For me it was a penalty all day.”
When asked if he had spoken to the referee, Clarke said: “What’s the point?
“He’s from Argentina. Why is it not a European referee? I don’t understand why he’s here and not in his own country refereeing a game. It’s just my opinion.
‘Footballing gods weren’t on our side’
Clarke mentioned that Hungary’s winning goal was a consequence of Scotland’s urgency to secure a victory at the opposing end.
Kevin Csoboth capitalized on a counter-attack in the closing moments after Scotland pushed players forward, and Clarke stated that luck was not on their side.
“You’re always to get caught when you open up like that,” Clarke said.
“We did create some chances. A consequence of being under pressure to win is maybe you snatch a bit at those chances.
“Sometimes you need the footballing gods to be on your side; they weren’t on our side tonight. It’s a cruel game. We all suffer the same.”
The Scotland head coach says his side must now turn their attentions to qualifying for their next major tournament.
His squad are next in action in the autumn, when they face Portugal, Croatia and Poland in the top tier of the Nations League.
“You have to lick your wounds, refresh yourself and go again because it can’t be another 26 years before we go to another major tournament overseas.
“That’s got to be the next ambition.”