Official UEFA rule that meant controversial England penalty was given

It's been an action-packed first half of the England vs Netherlands semi-finals clash, that's for sure.

Both teams are currently battling it out for a place in the Euro 2024 finals on Sunday against Spain, and each are putting on a stellar performance to get themselves there.

After the Dutch side's Xavi Simons got one in the back of the net in the seventh minute, the Three Lions really picked up the pace to even out the playing field once again.

And thankfully, that opportunity came when captain Harry Kane was awarded a penalty.

He was challenged by the Netherlands' right-back Denzel Dumfries, while taking a shot and got clipped by the rival player, seeing him drop down onto the pitch in pain.

After a VAR check, it was confirmed that Kane would be awarded a penalty for the incident.

Denzel Dumfries's clipped Harry Kane in the first half (Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

Some fans reckon the move was a bit controversial - especially after the Bayern Munich star banged it into the net and right past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, allowing England to equal the score.

We've had a look at the official International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules - which UEFA abide by - surrounding this kind of situation, which explains why the referee awarded the lads the penalty.

According to the rules regarding playing in a dangerous manner, players can be penalised for 'any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player himself)'.

IFAB explains: "It is committed with an opponent nearby and prevents the opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.

"Playing in a dangerous manner involves no physical contact between the players. If there is physical contact, the action becomes an offence punishable with a direct free kick or penalty kick.

"In the case of physical contact, the referee should carefully consider the high probability that misconduct has also been committed."

The England captain was controversially awarded a penalty (Jose Breton/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In Kane's case, it seems like this was awarded appropriately.

But the decision has been quite controversial, with commentator and former Manchester United star, Gary Neville, describing it as a 'disgrace'.

Ian Wright, however, said it was 'reckless' from Dumfries as 'his studs were up'.

Social media users have also had plenty to say about the clash between Kane and the Dutch star.

One said: "Studs up, hip high, no contact with the ball but contact with the opponent? That’s playing in a dangerous manner. Definitely a penalty. It’s right there in the rules that no one ever reads."

Another wrote: "That was a disgraceful decision. The England players want to win on merit...not gifts from poor referees."

A third added: "I thought it was a penalty. Go England!"

While a fourth chimed in: "That was England’s best 45 minutes of the tournament, Mark. But that was never a penalty. "Very, very harsh."

It's still all to play for, but let's hope it's a nice clean game from now on without any awkward challenges.