In the quarter-finals of this European Championship, Merino scored the winning goal in extra time, helping Spain to beat hosts Germany 2-1 and advance to the semi-finals. It is worth mentioning that a controversial incident occurred during extra time in the match.
In the 105th minute, German star Musiala took a shot from outside the penalty area, and Cucurella blocked the shot inside the penalty area, with the ball hitting Cucurella’s left hand. At this time, the German players immediately signalled that Cucurella had handled the ball inside the penalty area, but the referee did not award a penalty. After the match, ESPN immediately reported and analysed the controversial incident.
In fact, the VAR referee reviewed the incident on the field at the time and ultimately decided not to penalise it. This VAR referee was none other than Stuart Attwell, who had awarded a penalty to Germany in the round of 16. Looking back at Germany’s 2-0 victory over Denmark in the round of 16, in the 53rd minute, Raum drove into the penalty area on the left wing and crossed the ball, and Danish defender Andersen handled the ball when blocking the cross. At that time, Andersen’s right arm was raised, which was the reason why Attwell suggested a penalty. The UEFA’s explanation for this penalty decision is that if the arm is raised to stop the ball and cannot be explained by body position, then the referee or VAR referee should claim a penalty.
At the pre-match briefing the other day, UEFA’s chief referee Roberto Rosetti specifically stressed and illustrated that if the ball hits a player’s arm, but the arm is in a vertical position or behind the body, then the handball player should not be penalised. This, obviously, was the basis on which VAR referee Attwell, after reviewing the video, chose not to award a penalty.
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