Spanish players slam German fans for booing Cucurella

German fans who whistled and booed Spain's Marc Cucurella in the Euro 2024 semi-final win over France have been lambasted by his team mates, reported dpa.

The Chelsea left back was not penalized for a handball in the box in the 2-1 extra-time win over Germany in the quarter-finals. The officials decided he had not enlarged his body under the current rules so it could not be a penalty.

Most of Germany disagreed and some German fans inside the Munich stadium, who bought tickets thinking their side would be in the semi-final, whistled the 25-year-old when he was on the ball.

"I think it's a disgrace," Spain defender Dani Vivian told reporters after reaching the European Championship final.

"No player deserves that. I think anyone who goes to a football pitch to boo someone has no respect for the person doing their job."

Cucurella told ZDF: "It doesn't matter to me. We have to stay focused. When people talk about it, it's part of the game."

Spanish supporters reacted to the whistles by starting several chants of "Cucurella" for their defender.

"I don't know why he was booed," said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. "What the boos did was to motivate him even more. He's a professional and knows how to deal with pressure."

Those who whistled did not represent the sport or Germany, which has been an exceptional host, the coach added.