A player directly affected by a critical refereeing error at Euro 2024 has finally spoken out, following UEFA’s confirmation of the mistake. UEFA released a statement on Monday acknowledging a significant error made during the tournament that, had it been corrected at the time, could have drastically altered the course of the competition.
The statement confirmed that Germany should have been awarded a penalty during their quarter-final match against Spain after Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella handled the ball inside the Spanish penalty area. The oversight proved pivotal, and now one of Germany’s most prominent players has shared his thoughts on the situation, expressing frustration over the delayed recognition of the mistake.
The player in question, former Germany international Toni Kroos, reacted to the news while commentating during a broadcast of the Icon League, a football league inspired by the popular Kings League, co-founded by Kroos and streamer Elias Nerlich. Kroos, who retired from professional football after Euro 2024, didn’t hold back when discussing UEFA’s admission.
According to reports from RealTotal, the 34-year-old expressed disbelief at the time it took to acknowledge the handball, saying, “It took them three months to realize it was a handball, something almost everyone saw instantly. That’s very reassuring [laughs]. Can I now call myself a European champion since they’ve officially confirmed it? I don’t think so.
UEFA Acknowledges Crucial VAR Error in Germany vs Spain Quarter-Final Clash
Kroos had already retired from international football in 2021 but agreed to represent Germany one last time for Euro 2024, which the country was hosting. Securing a European Championship victory on home soil would have been a fitting conclusion to his illustrious 17-year career. However, Germany’s hopes were dashed when Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored a 119th-minute winner for Spain, eliminating Germany from the tournament and ending Kroos’ professional football career.
Despite the dramatic end, the newly revealed details suggest the outcome could have been entirely different. UEFA confirmed that referee Anthony Taylor, who officiated the match, made an error during a key moment in the second half when the score was level at 1-1. A shot from German player Jamal Musiala struck Cucurella’s outstretched arm inside the box. Despite the use of VAR, no penalty was awarded, which ultimately left many questioning the decision.
In its statement, UEFA explained, “According to the latest UEFA guidelines, any hand-to-ball contact that prevents a shot on goal should be penalized more strictly, and in most cases, a penalty should be awarded, unless the defender’s arm is very close to the body or in contact with it. In this instance, the defender [Cucurella] blocked the shot with an arm that was not close to his body, making himself larger. Therefore, a penalty kick should have been given.”
The revelation has sparked further debate about the role of VAR and the accountability of referees in critical moments, especially in high-stakes tournaments like the European Championships. Although the incident has now been officially acknowledged, it offers little consolation to Germany or Kroos, whose hopes for a final tournament victory were undone by a decision that will continue to be scrutinized for years to come.
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