A petition to rerun a Euro 2024 match after a controversial decision has nearly half a million signatures. Germany and Spain played an exciting quarterfinal in Stuttgart on Friday, but the tournament hosts lost. Before Florian Wirtz’s 89th-minute equaliser sent the match to extra time, Spain looked to advance. Mikel Merino scored in the 119th minute to give Spain a 2-1 triumph and break German hearts.
Controversy Swirls: Petition Demands Euro 2024 Match Rerun
German fans started an online campaign to rerun the match afterwards. When Jamal Musiala’s shot hit Marc Cucurella’s palm in extra time, they thought their team should have been awarded a penalty. Referee Anthony Taylor waved play on despite German players and fans’ objections, and Video Assistant Referee Stuart Attwell approved. Taylor made the right call since Cucurella’s hand was natural when the ball hit it, per pre-tournament guidance.
UEFA referees chief Roberto Rosetti informed officials he didn’t want penalties for defenders’ arms close to the torso and almost vertical. After full-time, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann raged: “I cannot understand why it was not evaluated, even though there were 48,000 replays.” Later, he told reporters: “I hope no one breaks the rule. The rule was applied without penalty. Felt not cheated.
“I want to make this [handball] rule assessment more realistic and understandable. Not today, but for football in general.
You check the hand at 3 o’clock, if it’s higher or lower. But some have greater muscles and other actions.” Nagelsmann admitted the regulation was followed, but around 350,000 supporters signed a petition for a replay in less than two days, according to The Sun. German supporters have forgotten Toni Kroos’ survival after multiple hard trials.
