Former FIFA referee Miroslav Stupar has assessed the actions of English referee Anthony Taylor, who officiated yesterday's Euro 2024 quarterfinal match between Germany and Spain:
"Taylor is an experienced and qualified referee, in my opinion, he controlled the course of events in this tense match, which experts rightly considered a rehearsal for the final.
But, in my opinion, there are questions to Taylor on at least two episodes. First of all, I am talking about the moment at the end of extra time when, with the score at 1-1, the ball hit Cucurella's hand after a shot by the German Musiala into the goal. Yes, the Spaniard's hand was in a natural position, but he had the opportunity to avoid this contact. Therefore, Taylor had every right to award a penalty kick, which the hosts could have taken.
It's hard to say why the Briton didn't punish Kukurelia, and the VAR referee ignored this episode. Perhaps we don't know something? And what if there are some new additions from UEFA, in which cases playing with the hand in the penalty area is a violation of the rules?
There are also questions to Taylor regarding the recording of violations by the leader of the Germans, Kroos. In my opinion, his collision with Pedri in the opener really didn't warrant a warning. But when the German soon struck the Spaniard's ankle, it was definitely a yellow card. However, the Englishman did not think so. It was only in the middle of the second half that Kroos got a warning, although if the referee had been consistent, the German could have left the field early," Stupar said.