German fans booing Cucurella is 'a disgrace,' says Spain teammates
BERLIN — Spain defender Marc Cucurella expects to continue to be booed every time he touches the ball until the end of Euro 2024, but vowed to use the jeers as motivation to lift the trophy.
With just Sunday's final against England remaining (3 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app), Cucurella has, rather strangely, become the main public villain for a German public still smarting at its team's exit to Spain in the quarterfinal.
The most controversial moment in that game was when referee Anthony Taylor turned down a penalty claim after Jamal Musiala's shot struck Cucurella's arm in extra-time, and video replay was not used.
Even though their ire appears misguided — players don't make penalty decisions, and, in any case, the call seems to have been correct — Cucurella was booed mercilessly during the semifinal victory over France, by German fans with tickets to the game.
"I think it is a disgrace," Cucurella's teammate Dani Vivian told reporters. "No player deserves that. I think anyone who goes to a football match to boo someone has no respect for the person who is doing their job."
With the final in Berlin, in the eastern part of Germany, there are again likely to be significant numbers of home fans in the stadium, even with Spain and England as the protagonists.
The city is unlikely to become inundated with visiting fans in the manner, for example, that Netherlands supporters hopped over the nearby border to attend the semifinal.
Faced with the prospect of more noise, Cucurella did not seem particularly bothered.
"It doesn't matter to me," he said. "We have to stay focused. If it is talked about, it is part of the game."
Spain vs. France Highlights | UEFA Euro 2024 | Semifinals
Sections of the German media have reacted with incredulity to the fans' behavior. Play-by-play announcer Oliver Schmidt, on ZDF, voiced his disapproval during the semifinal. Spiegel Sports columnist Marcus Kramer added: "The German football fan has a new enemy … but why? This is not a scandal."
Cucurella has performed well in the tournament as Spain has surged to the final behind six straight wins and just two goals conceded. His treatment at the hands of Germany fans has led to shows of support from Spain's traveling contingent, which chanted his name repeatedly in the last game.
"I don't know why he was booed," head coach Luis de la Fuente said, in a press conference. "What this does is motivate him even more. He is a professional and knows how to deal with pressure."
Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and subscribe to the daily newsletter.
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