Fan Fury in Munich: relentless booing of Cucurella echoes Euro 2024 Controversy
Disgruntled Germans Drown Out Cucurella with Negative Whistles
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Marc Cucurella's every touch of the ball at the Nations League final tournament in Munich is met with boos from the stands. The Spanish defender is still drawing the ire of German football fans for his handball in the Euro 2024 quarter-final against their team last year - an incident that sparked widespread outrage among the home supporters.
One year on, the backlash against Cucurella continues unabated. Fans, who have bought tickets specifically to attend Spain's games, make it their mission to heckle Cucurella at every opportunity, from warm-ups to lineup announcements, and every time he gets the ball. Some venues, like Stuttgart and Munich, seem to be filled with avid Germans, intent on expressing their contempt for the distinctive-haired Spanish defender.
This hostile reception can be traced back to the Euro 2024 quarter-final match. With the scores level at 1-1, Cucurella deflected a shot from Jamal Musiala onto his hand in extra time, but the German penalty claims fell on deaf ears. Despite the controversial incident, the referee, Anthony Taylor, and the VAR declined to intervene. Soon after, Mikel Merino netted the winning goal, sending Germany out of the tournament in heartbreaking fashion.
The lingering resentment over this incident is palpable among German football fans, who still remain frustrated by the officials' decision. The hostility continued during the Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart, where this atmosphere persisted during France's 5-4 win over the European champions. Now, in the final against Portugal in Munich, the booing persists.
Many feel it's justified to spend their evenings booing a footballer, but Cucurella has admitted that he accepts some blame for the penalty incident. However, he has maintained that it was not his responsibility for the referee's error. Since then, UEFA has acknowledged the referee's mistake, which seems to have done little to appease the booing critics.
Cucurella has accepted that the booing may follow him wherever he goes, saying he is "ready" for the backlash. He anticipates fans will continue to express their anger, and he remains resilient in the face of it, framing it as simply part of being a professional footballer.
Sources: ntv.de, tsi/dpa/sid
- Tournament: Nations League
- Sport: Football
- International Match: International Competition
In the ongoing Nations League tournament, the heated sports rivalry between Germany and Spain continues to polarize fans, with Marc Cucurella being a recurring target of boos due to the controversial handball incident during last year's Euro 2024 quarter-final match. Despite Cucurella's acceptance of some blame, vocational training in resilience might be beneficial for him as he navigates the ongoing backlash in the football community.
