On Friday, Spain defeated Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, but controversy arose when Germany was denied a penalty in extra time.
In the 105th minute, Jamal Musiala’s shot from outside the area was blocked by Marc Cucurella’s hand. Despite appeals from Germany, referee Anthony Taylor dismissed the calls for a penalty, and VAR official Stuart Attwell confirmed the decision.
The incident sparked debate over what constitutes handball. Attwell’s decisions in two consecutive Germany matches—one resulting in a penalty and the other not—highlight the issue. In the round of 16, Denmark’s Joachim Andersen was penalized for a handball, as his arm was deemed to create an unnatural barrier. UEFA guidelines suggest that such situations warrant a penalty, explaining why Attwell’s involvement in this match was not questioned.
During a pre-tournament briefing, UEFA’s head of referees, Roberto Rosetti, clarified that if a defender’s arm is close to their body and not creating an unnatural barrier, it shouldn’t be a penalty. This interpretation closely relates to the Cucurella incident, as his arm was in a natural position.
Although the decisions may seem inconsistent, both align with UEFA’s expectations.
