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UEFA Referee Committee have published a report of their assessment of a referee decision from Spain vs Germany in Euro 2024.
UEFA has acknowledged a crucial error in Spain's Euro quarterfinal win over Germany, conceding it may have altered the match outcome.
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14:22 - 08.07.2024
Euro 2024: Controversy erupts as furious fans petition for replay of Spain vs Germany
Spain's Marc Cucurella appeared to handle the ball in extra time when Germany's Jamal Musiala shot at goal during their Euro 2024 quater final clash but no penalty was awarded.
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22:00 - 05.07.2024
Euro 2024: Merino's last gasp goal breaks German hearts as favourites Spain cruise
Germany almost made it to penalties before Merino caught everyone off-guard.
The incident in question?
Spain and Germany were two of the most exciting sides in Euro 2024 over the summer, and the quarter-final which pitted them against each other, was billed to be an electric affair of end-to-end attacking.
True to the pre-match forecasts, the game was highly entertaining, with both teams playing at a high level offensively.
Spain eventually won thanks to a Mikel Merino header late into extra time, as both teams could not be separated in regular time (1-1 draw).
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However, before Merino’s goal, Germany had a contentious decision that went against them in the 107th minute. Jamal Musiala's shot at goal was blocked by Marc Cucurella’s arm. While the defender's limb was not glued to his body—it was a few centimetres away, in fact—referee Anthony Taylor adjudged it to have been in a natural position.
UEFA’s statement
The UEFA Referee Committee, during their review of the tournament, has deemed the incident an error, stating that a penalty should have been awarded against Spain. They have now told international referees to always give a penalty in such situations.
Their statement, as per Relevo, reads as follows: “Following the latest UEFA guidelines, hand-to-ball contact that stops a shot on goal should be punished more strictly, and in most cases, a penalty kick should be awarded unless the defender's arm is very close to the body or in contact with the body.”
“In this case [Cucurella], the defender stops the shot on goal with his arm, which is not very close to the body, making himself bigger, so a penalty kick should have been awarded."
Spain went on to win the competition, beating France in the semi-final and then England in the final, an outcome that could have gone differently had Cucurella been penalised for the handball incident.
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