“I am against disrespect” - Spain coach Luis de la Fuente hits out at fans booing in-form player during Euro 2024 semi-final win over France
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has addressed fans who booed Marc Cucurella during the 2-1 Euro 2024 semifinal win against France in Munich on Tuesday (July 9). The Chelsea defender had a fine showing but was booed by a section of German fans.
The animosity between the defender and the German public can be traced back to a handball incident in La Roja's 2-1 win over the hosts in the quarter-finals. Cucurella was struck in the hand by the ball in the box, but a penalty was not given after Anthony Taylor saw nothing wrong.
Speaking about the incident after the game, De la Fuente said (via Metro):
"I don’t know the reason for the booing of Cucurella, but all it did was motivate him. I am against disrespect, and those who booed do not represent German society."
The La Roja boss was unbothered about who they would face in the final in Berlin when asked,:
"It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. We’ve already seen the journey we’ve had at Euro 2024.
"All we do is try and be strong in our idea. We are happy to have reached this final. We have been able to reach the final again and take Spain to where it belongs in sport."
Spain now wait to see who they play in the final in Berlin on Sunday (July 14) as England and the Netherlands face off in the second semifinal on Wednesday (July 10) in Dortmund to decide that.
Spain stars react to qualifying for Euro 2024 final
Spain stars Dani Olmo and Nacho Fernandez have shared their feelings on the team qualifying for the Euro 2024 final. La Roja have been impressive in the tournament, winning their sixth straight game.
Speaking to the press after his side's 2-1 victory over France in the semi-final in Munich, where he bagged the winning goal after Lamine Yamal's equaliser, Olmo said (via Fotmob):
"We are very close now, one step away from glory,"
"We planned the game very well and, although we conceded a goal, we knew how to react with the spectacular goal from Lamine and then with my own. And, in the second half, we knew how to control it."
Former Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez echoed Olmo's sentiments, telling Mundo Deportivo:
"Playing in this final is something magical, a dream. Winning the Euros would be the icing on the cake for a spectacular career."
"It's going to be an incredible final. It's a team with a lot of character, I always say that the mix of veterans and youngsters makes us very strong. We grow in the face of adversity, we push forward with the strength of the group."
Spain are pursuing a record sixth European Championship title, having won their third in 2012 after beating Italy 4-0 in the final.