Toni Kroos furious after UEFA admits referee error against Germany in Euro 2024

Toni Kroos during a game for Germany. Photo by AFP

"It took them three months to realize there was a handball, something that almost everyone else could see in a second. That reassures me a lot. Can I say that I’m now a European champion because they have officially confirmed it? I don’t think so," Kroos told Bild.

UEFA has recently tightened the penalty rule regarding handball incidents in the box. Previously, if a defender's arm was in a vertical position close to their body and the ball made contact, it would not result in a penalty.

This incident happened when Spain defender Marc Cucurella got the ball to his arm after a shot by Jamal Musiala during extra time in the Euro 2024 quarterfinal against Germany when the score was 1-1. However, the referee did not give Germany a penalty because he said Cucurella’s arm was in a natural position and it was not intentional. Shortly after, midfielder Mikel Merino scored with a header in the 119th minute, sending Spain into the semifinals.

Following the match, German media and fans heavily criticized referee Anthony Taylor’s decision, arguing that Cucurella’s hand had blocked the ball’s trajectory towards the goal, which should have resulted in a penalty.

Spanish media later published excerpts from the UEFA’s report on Euro 2024, which highlighted the incident as a clear penalty. UEFA regularly holds post-tournament meetings with referees to review controversial moments and provide guidance on handling such situations. In this case, UEFA indicated that referee Taylor should have awarded a penalty for Cucurella's handball.

German football legend Lothar Matthaus expressed outrage upon hearing the news.

"UEFA admits it was a wrong decision, meaning we were deceived. Their explanation is just an excuse. It's disgraceful to acknowledge now what was obvious at the time," he told Bild.

Matthaus had previously accepted UEFA's explanation that a penalty should not be awarded if a defender’s arm hangs down and is aligned with the body. However, upon learning that UEFA admitted the mistake, the former Germany midfielder questioned whether the rule ever truly existed.

While the controversial decision eliminated hosts Germany, Spain went on to beat France in the semifinals, before defeating England to claim the title.