UEFA has made their decision on Anthony Taylor after huge calls for a replay from fans, it has gone viral
English referee Anthony Taylor looks set to miss out on officiating the final of Euro 2024 following a controversial call in his previous match. Taylor was the man in charge for Spain’s dramatic extra-time victory over Euros hosts Germany in their quarter-final on Friday.
The Premier League referee received heavy criticism from Germany supporters after he refused to give a handball against Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella in extra-time. The incident occurred when Cucurella, while defending, appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area. Despite loud appeals from the German players and fans, Taylor waved play on, deeming the contact accidental.
Spain would go on to claim a 2-1 victory thanks to a late header from Mikel Merino, setting up a semi-final clash with France on Tuesday. Furious Germany supporters immediately set up a petition calling for the quarter-final to be replayed, with The Sun reporting that almost 350,000 fans have since signed it. The petition argued that the referee’s decision significantly impacted the outcome of the match and that a replay was the only fair resolution.
While UEFA is unlikely to take such drastic action, the controversy surrounding the match has seemingly harmed Taylor’s chances of taking charge of the final. The Daily Mail reports that he has now returned to England, with Italy’s Daniele Orsato favorite to referee the match. Orsato, who oversaw England’s victory over Switzerland, is now in the frame for the showpiece event. Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, is also being considered for the prestigious role.
Taylor’s departure from Germany is also said to be due to the ‘slim likelihood’ he would be chosen for the Berlin final due to England’s involvement in the last four. With England still in the competition, having reached the semi-finals where they will face the Netherlands, it was deemed inappropriate for an English referee to officiate the final.
UEFA gave its backing to Taylor after the Spain game, with European football’s governing body agreeing with his decision to not award Germany a penalty. The call was backed up by VAR official Stuart Attwell, who reviewed the incident and found no clear and obvious error in Taylor’s judgment. According to German publication Bild, UEFA declared the decision to be correct because ‘Cucurella’s hand was not in an unnatural position.’ The governing body emphasized that the handball rule requires the hand to be in an unnatural position for a penalty to be awarded, and in this case, it was not.
Initial reports after the match claimed that Germany coach Sandro Wagner voiced his anger with Taylor in a furious dressing room rant following the game. However, the Daily Mail claims those reports are inaccurate. “Sources have disclosed that while Germany’s assistant coach did enter the referee’s room to seek an explanation – and was subsequently given one – there was not a furious row or a series of insults from Sandro Wagner,” read the report. “Instead, a calm discussion was held with Taylor departing after he showered.”
The fallout from the match has dominated headlines in Germany, with many fans and pundits feeling aggrieved by the decision. German media has dissected the incident, analyzing replays and debating the interpretation of the handball rule. The controversy has also sparked a wider debate about the use of VAR and the consistency of refereeing decisions in major tournaments.
As Euro 2024 progresses, the focus will inevitably shift to the upcoming semi-finals. UEFA is set to confirm the referee for the Euro 2024 final once the semi-finals have taken place. England will take on the Netherlands in the second semi-final on Wednesday, while Spain will face France in the first semi-final on Tuesday. Both matches promise to be thrilling encounters, with a place in the final at stake.
For Anthony Taylor, the focus will now be on moving past the controversy and preparing for future assignments. As one of England’s top referees, he will continue to play a key role in domestic and international matches. However, the events of the Spain-Germany quarter-final will likely remain a talking point for some time, highlighting the pressures and challenges faced by referees at the highest level of the game.