“Can I proclaim myself European champion now?” - Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos mocks UEFA after they admit ‘mistake’ in Euro 2024 QF decision
Former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos has hit out at the UEFA Referee Committee after they admitted that Germany should have gotten a penalty for Marc Cucurella's handball at EURO 2024. He took shots at them, saying it took them long enough to admit the mistake, but it would not make him a European champion.
Speaking on his Einfach mal Luppen podcast (via Madrid Xtra), Kroos sarcastically thanked the Referee Committee for making the decision. He continued by saying that the decision was not a big deal as it knocked out Germany from the tournament. He said:
"It took them three months to realise it was a handball, something that almost everyone saw in a second. Thank you, it wasn't that big of a deal (ironically). Can I proclaim myself European champion now that they've officially said it was a mistake? I don't think so."
Spain and Toni Kroos' Germany were tied 1-1 in the 106th minute of extra time when the ball hit Marc Cucurella's hand inside the box. Referee Anthony Taylor and VAR official Stuart Attwell decided that it was not a penalty, and the Spanish side went on to win it with a late goal from Mikel Moreno.
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos earlier hit out at Anthony Taylor
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos spoke about Anthony Taylor earlier this summer and stated that the referee had made a clear mistake. He claimed that the replays made him angry as it was an easy decision to make, and VAR should have intervened.
He had said on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen (via GOAL):
"I've held back so far. I have to say, I didn't see it at all in the game. I wasn't in a position to see that it was a relatively clear handball. In that moment, you're not so angry with the referee because you can't really judge it yourself. Of course, I then paid attention to the referee. He was of the opinion that he didn't even have to look at it, or rather the video referee was of the opinion that he should tell him: 'You don't have to look at it, it's not handball'."
"I only got angry when I saw it after the game. I think he should have at least looked at it. But I think the problem is: he knew that if he looked at it, he would have to give it. And I had the feeling that he didn't necessarily want to give it in a game like that. The referees themselves don't know 100 per cent how the interpretation is in this case. In retrospect, it's bitter, of course, when you see the whole outcome or the importance of a goal at that point. In the end, all we could do was accept it," he added.
Toni Kroos announced his retirement from football in the summer and EURO 2024 was his last tournament. The Real Madrid legend won the league title last season and added the UEFA Champions League in his final games for the Spanish giants.