Spain’s Daniel Vivian has expressed his outrage concerning the treatment of his teammate Marc Cucurella during their Euro 2024 semi-final victory. The Spanish team secured their place in the final with a 2-1 win over France in Munich, but Cucurella was subjected to loud boos from neutral German supporters throughout the match.
The hostility towards Cucurella stemmed from a contentious incident in a previous match, where a penalty claim was not awarded to Germany after the ball struck Cucurella’s hand in the box. Referee Anthony Taylor’s decision not to award a penalty kick resulted in the boos directed at Cucurella during the France game.
In response to the boos, Vivian staunchly defended his teammate, condemning the treatment as a “disgrace”. He emphasized that no player deserves such disrespectful treatment, stating that those who come onto the football pitch to boo someone have no respect for an individual simply doing their job.
Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente also disapproved of the boos, asserting that they only served to motivate Cucurella. He expressed his opposition to disrespect, stating that the individuals who booed Cucurella do not represent German society.
Despite the negative reception, Cucurella appeared unaffected, affirming that “these are things that happen” and indicating that he was not to blame for the situation. Referring to the handball incident, he maintained a diplomatic stance, stating that as a player, he does not get involved in refereeing decisions and respects their calls.
The Spanish player also acknowledged the contentious nature of the incident, highlighting the subjective nature of refereeing decisions and the tendency for such incidents to spark debate. He suggested that the outcome of the match could have shaped the narrative, regardless of the refereeing decisions made.
Reflecting on the series of events, it is evident that the treatment of Cucurella has sparked outrage, with both his teammate and manager speaking out against the disrespectful behavior. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for mutual respect and sportsmanship within football and underlines the importance of upholding dignity and fairness in the game. As football enthusiasts, it is essential to support and respect all players, irrespective of the circumstances of the game.