German fans' scandalous treatment of Spain's Marc Cucurella

Playing the final

Marc Cucurella will play in the final of Euro 2024 with Spain after beating France in the semi-finals.

Confused

The Chelsea left-back was singled out for his involvement in a controversial handball decision in Spain’s quarter-final against Germany.

Hometown heroes

Many German fans would have bought tickets to the semi-final in the hopes their countrymen would be playing for a spot in the Euros final, instead, they focused their attention on the player they viewed as the main antagonist.

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“I'm not to blame for anything”

Cucurella told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, “I’m not to blame for anything,” in relation to the handball, suggesting he thought the boos should have been directed at English referee Anthony Taylor.

Controversial

German fans may well have an argument that they were hard done by, with the ball clearly striking Cucurella’s arm, blocking what looked to be an on-target strike.

What was their aim?

As the former Brighton defender points out, “I don't know what they were trying to achieve with that [the booing], but that's the way it is.” It does seem the German fans misplaced their anger.

“No respect”

Daniel Vivian, Cucurella’s Spanish teammate, offered support telling Kicker, “No player deserves this, I think if you come onto a football pitch to boo someone, you have no respect for someone who is doing their job.”

Brushed away

Cucurella got the last laugh with his side playing some excellent football en route to a final, as the Chelsea man told Cadena Cope, “The most important thing is that we're in the final, and that's it.”

Extra motivation

The Daily Mail has reported Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente claimed the boos were added motivation for Cucurella and actually spurred him on during the game. Talk about a strategy backfiring for the Germans!

Will the boos continue?

With Euro 2024 concluding on Sunday, 14th July, will German fans still be insisting on targeting Cucurella and his Spanish teammates when they face England?

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