Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has hit out at the supporters who booed and jeered Marc Cucurella during his side’s Euro 2024 victory over France, claiming they ‘do not represent German society’ as a whole.
It was heartbreak for France as Spain came from behind to win 2-1 in Munich, with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo scoring in quick succession after Randal Kolo Muani’s headed opener in the eighth minute.
The result sets the stage for a final between Spain and one of England and the Netherlands, who do battle in tomorrow evening’s intriguing semi-final at Borussia Dortmund’s iconic Westfalenstadion.
Chelsea left-back Cucurella has been one of the surprise stars for Spain in Germany, starting all but one of his nation’s matches en route to Sunday’s showpiece.
However, loud boos rang out whenever Cucurella touched the ball versus France and many viewers were left confused as to why the defender was copping so much abuse inside the Allianz Arena.
It soon became apparent that the culprits were not disgruntled French fans, rather neutral German supporters venting their frustrations after the curly-haired full-back escaped punishment for handball in last Friday’s quarter-final.
‘We think we’ve worked out why Marc Cucurella is getting booed, by the way,’ Steve Wilson explained on BBC’s commentary of the game.
‘The reason is because, the German press have made a lot of this, in the game against Germany, they had a shot which hit Cucurella on the hand inside the penalty area.
‘They felt the hand was away from the body, it was on the front page of the German papers the other day, I thought he was getting booed by the French fans. It’s not, it’s the German fans who feel they should be in this semi final.’
After Anthony Taylor waved away calls for handball against Cucurella in Spain’s quarter-final victory over Germany, UEFA released a statement explaining why the Premier League official had in fact made the correct decision.
‘Cucurella’s hand was not in an unnatural position at the time it was hit by the ball,’ the statement read.
Facing the media after Spain’s defeat of France, De la Fuente condemned the treatment of Cucurella by German supporters in Munich and claimed the booing only provided the left-back with extra motivation.
‘I don’t know the reason for the booing of Cucurella, but all it did was motivate him,’ the triumphant Spain manager told reporters.
‘I am against disrespect and those who booed do not represent German society.’
The 63-year-old insisted he had no preference between England and the Netherlands when it came to Spain’s potential opponents for this weekend’s final.
‘It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, we’ve already seen the journey we’ve had at Euro 2024,’ De le Fuente added.
They are two great rivals and we are waiting for them with open arms.’
Asked whether it would be best for football if Spain beat England in the final, De la Fuente replied: ‘All we do is try and be strong in our idea.
‘We are happy to have reached this final.
‘We have been able to reach the final again and take Spain to where it belongs in sport.’
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