Cucurella booed by Schalke fans over Euro 2024 penalty controversy

Marc Cucurella was met by loud jeers from Schalke supporters during Real Madrid’s 3-0 friendly victory over the German club, with the reaction linked to a disputed incident from the quarter-final of Euro 2024.

The Spain international, who has recently joined Real Madrid, was introduced at the Veltins-Arena in the 61st minute. He replaced Alvaro Carreras, but his arrival on the pitch was greeted by a chorus of boos from the home crowd.

The hostility dates back to Spain’s meeting with Germany in the last eight of Euro 2024. La Roja won the match 2-1, but Germany appealed for a penalty after the ball struck Cucurella’s hand inside Spain’s penalty area.

Referee Anthony Taylor decided not to award a spot-kick, a decision that caused considerable frustration among the hosts. Cucurella, now a Real Madrid full-back, became the focus of the controversy because of the incident.

However, a report by Defensa Central highlighted that the handball was not the first relevant moment in the passage of play. It said an earlier offence by Germany had taken place before Jamal Musiala’s shot, although that part of the sequence has been easily forgotten by German supporters.

The ball had struck the triceps of Germany forward Niclas Fullkrug’s arm immediately before Musiala attempted the shot. According to the report, that contact should have resulted in a foul in Spain’s favour and therefore preceded the disputed handball involving Cucurella.

Despite that, UEFA’s refereeing committee later acknowledged that Cucurella’s handball against Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-final should have been punished with a penalty.

The controversy has continued to follow Cucurella, even after his move to Real Madrid. His first appearance for the club was delayed because he had an extended holiday following the World Cup won by Spain.

As a result, Cucurella did not report for training at Valdebebas until the beginning of this week. That late return meant he had to wait before making his debut for Real Madrid, which eventually came during the friendly against Schalke.

Real Madrid completed the match with a 3-0 victory, but the most talked-about moment involving their new defender came when he entered the game and was greeted by the Schalke crowd’s reaction. The reception served as a reminder that the Euro 2024 penalty dispute remains a sensitive issue in Germany.