World’s fury at dirty Italian assassins in Euro 2020 final

Italy’s historic European Championship victory has been tainted by acts of shameless gamesmanship that have become instant memes.

Italy’s historic European Championship victory has been tainted by acts of shameless gamesmanship that have become instant memes.

The Italians emerged from an epic penalty shootout with a 3-2 win, breaking England’s hearts in the cruellest fashion.

Italy has now tasted Euro success for the first time since 1968 — but it is a result that has stuck in the throats of commentators across Europe.

A series of cynical acts went by with the referee too hesitant to issue direct red cards, despite fury from fans demanding fouls from some of Italy’s biggest stars to be punished with instant dismissals.

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Giorgio Chiellini got hit with a wet lettuce leaf for this challenge.

Giorgio Chiellini simply refused to let Saka get away.

Instead Italy recovered from an early 1-0 deficit to equalise in the second half, then win the thriller when goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Bukayo Saka’s final penalty for England.

It was all over. But not without a mountain of controversy.

Related: Sickening footage emerges at Euro 2020 final

World’s fury at dirty Italian assassin

A cynical foul by veteran Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini just before the end of normal time had England fans up in arms, blatantly dragging down Bukayo Saka by grabbing his shirt to prevent the 19-year-old from zooming past him.

It was illegal, but smark from the senior statesman, and ensured his side didn’t risk conceding at the death. Chiellini received a yellow card for his effort, but plenty of England supporters were asking for a harsher punishment.

The care-free bravado with which Chiellini executed the shameless foul resulted in the challenge turning into an instant meme.

My life pic.twitter.com/PZMmQNU4CD

— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) July 11, 2021

pic.twitter.com/YZNXrHSIWa

— ALM (@TheRealALM) July 11, 2021

Via @tessarmstrong. 🙌🏼 #Euro2020Finalpic.twitter.com/ljDveiXCei

— A/Prof Kate Seear (@Kate_Seear) July 11, 2021

The 36-year-old has been an iceman throughout Italy’s campaign and has driven some of the biggest stars on the planet mad.

Italian star lucky to stay on the field

Italy continued to ride its luck in extra time when midfielder Jorginho escaped with a yellow card for an ugly tackle on English substitute Jack Grealish.

The two players dived in for a loose ball which Grealish reached first, only for Jorginho to stomp on his leg in the middle of Grealish’s shin.

Jack Grealish goes down injured after being fouled by Jorginho.

Both players then rolled around on the floor in apparent pain.

Replays showed just how bad Jorginho’s studded challenge was — and enraged some fans, who called for a red card and instant dismissal.

Former England star turned journalist and broadcaster, Karen Carney, told the BBC: “The England fans are fuming and so am I!”

Sports writer Joe Lago tweeted: “Not enough Grealish blood for (referee) Bjorn Kuipers to give a red on Jorginho.”

English sports reporter Jon Dunham added: “Jorginho has left one on Grealish there. It’s a red card that.”

Should Jorginho have been sent off for this tackle on Grealish? 🤔#ENG#ITA#Euro2020pic.twitter.com/cM5J1QiwAi

— talkSPORT 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@talkSPORT) July 11, 2021