Explained: Why did referee refuse to give penalty to Germany in extra-time after ball hitting Marc Cucurella’s hand during Euro 2024 quarter-final?
Germany's appeal for a penalty in the extra time of the Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Spain on July 5 was dismissed by the referee. This is despite the ball hitting Spanish star Marc Cucurella's hand. Referee Antony Taylor's decision was backed by the designated VAR, Stuart Atwell as well.
While the controversial decision led to widespread speculation and debate among viewers, the decision was right as per UEFA's rules regarding a handball penalty. ESPN editor Dale Johnson took to X to explain the UEFA rules after the match. He mentioned why the referee and VAR's decision to not grant Germany a handball was the right one.
The journalist pointed out three criteria that ensured Cucurella's case was not a penalty. These include - the player's arm was close to the side, it was pointing predominantly down or vertically, and it was behind the line of the body.
"UEFA's pre-tournament briefing on handballs gave a specific example just like Marc Cucurella, saying it should NOT be a handball penalty. Arm close to the side, pointing predominantly down/vertically, and/or a position behind line of the body," Johnson explained.
Johnson also cited the example of the penalty Denmark's Joachim Anderson conceded against Germany in Euro 2024. He explained that in his case UEFA believed his hand was in an "unnatural position."
"It differs from the penalty Joachim Andersen conceded against Germany. UEFA deems that arm position to be unnatural and creating a barrier. Understandable fans would think the two decisions are the wrong way around ... But they aren't per intended interpretation," he added in a follow-up X post.
Rules analyst Christine Unkel, who works for the broadcaster ITV, was also of the same opinion as Anderson and clarified the decision on X. Unkel repeated the same three conditions under UEFA rules as Anderson that saved Spain from conceding a crucial penalty.
Shortly after the German's appeal for a penalty was rejected when the scores were 1-1, Mikel Merino scored an extra-time goal in the 119th minute. It led to an ultimate 2-1 victory over the host nation.
Spain will face either France or Portugal in the Euro 2024 semi-final on July 9 at Allianz Arena.
Joshua Kimmich claims that Germany should have been awarded a penalty in Euro 2024 clash against Spain
Despite UEFA's rules having a reasonable explanation for not granting a penalty to Germany, Joshua Kimmich made a bold claim about it while speaking to the media after the match.
Kimmich claimed it was unfair that they had to bow out of Euro 2024 in the quarter-final, and added that they should have been granted a penalty.
"Unfortunately, it was very unfair. We were much better in the second half and extra time. The Spaniards just wanted to save themselves by going into the penalty shootout. We had two really good chances after conceding the goal and should have been awarded a penalty for a handball," he said.
Kimmich then looked back at Germany's disappointing run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He felt that the disappointment at Euro 2024 surpasses the one two years ago, as back then they were not a team and did not deserve anything more. However, it was different this time.
"This is definitely a completely different disappointment to Qatar. We weren't a team there. It's completely different this time. The past six weeks were very special, the team spirit we had. I haven't experienced that very often. That's why the disappointment is even bigger than at the other tournaments. We didn't deserve more there, but it was completely different today," the Bayern Munich veteran said.
After Germany's exit in Euro 2024, they became the first host nation to eliminated in the quarter-final stage in a European tournament. Meanwhile, Spain broke an old curse as they scored against the hosts for the first time in a European championship.