Euro 2024 quarterfinal controversy explained: Why was penalty not given for Cucurella handball in Spain vs Germany?

The quarterfinal between Spain and Germany at the 2024 European Championship in Germany saw controversy erupt as Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella’s hand-ball was not penalised with a spot-kick at the Stuttgart Arena on Friday.

In the second-half of extra-time, Jamal Musiala’s shot struck Cucurella’s wrist inside the box, with all German players, including thir coach Julian Nagelsmann appealing vehemently for a penalty.

Nagelsmann, Head Coach of Germany, appeals for the penalty after a handball in the UEFA EURO 2024 quarterfinal.
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The referee, Anthony Taylor, however, shook his head, not awarding a spot-kick, after conversation with the refereeing team on his ear-piece. Eventually, Spain won the game after Mikel Merino guided Dani Olmo’s cross in the 119th minute.

What are the rules for penalty?

According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which determines the rules of football, following are the offences for which a handball is given by the referee.

If the handball offence takes place in the penalty box of a player’s own team, a spot-kick to the opponent is awarded by the referee.

Following are the reasons why handball offence can be given:

• Deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the hand/arm towards the ball.
• Touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised.
• Scores in the opponents’ goal: directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper; or immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental.
• Accidental handball that leads to a team-mate scoring a goal or having a goal-scoring opportunity will no longer be considered an offence.

Why was Cucurella not given hand-ball?

Although the ball struck Cucurella’s hand which was away from his body, the referee decided to not give a penalty because the shoulder of the player was downwards and his face was on the other side.

That made the referee decide that the incident was not a handball offence.