Spanish defender Marc Cucurella has stated that UEFA made a rule change following a controversial handball incident involving him during Spain’s Euro 2024 quarter-final victory over Germany.
Although the ball made contact with Cucurella’s arm inside the penalty area, no spot-kick was awarded by the referee a decision that sparked widespread debate.
“It was deliberate,” Cucurella said, standing by the moment that stirred controversy.
Spain eventually sealed a 2-1 win in that match, with Mikel Merino scoring a decisive header in stoppage time.
The incident raised fresh concerns over how handball decisions are interpreted, prompting scrutiny of the existing rules at the time.
Cucurella told AS: “Yes, that handball has been talked about all over the world.
“In fact, UEFA recently came to give us a talk and used my handball against Germany as an example.
“And they told me it was because of me that they had to change the rules.”
He also denied that he purposely tried to handle the ball: “They took a shot at me from close range and the ball hit me, but I didn’t mean to hit it with my hand, I didn’t do it on purpose.
“Man, I would have been the most hated guy in Spain…”
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