After the match between Spain and Germany (early morning of July 6), referee Anthony Taylor received fierce criticism from German fans and experts.At the Stuttgart Arena, the German team lost 1-2 after 120 tense minutes with Spain. Before Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal for the Spanish team in the 119th minute, the match suddenly became tense when the German team’s coaching staff reacted fiercely to the referee team.

The down situation happened in the 106th minute, Thomas Müller passed a cross to Füllkrug. Next, the German team striker released the ball to Musiala in an empty position. The Bayern Munich player quickly shot from about 20 meters away, the ball went straight into Marc Cucurella’s outstretched hand. Musiala immediately protested, German team coach Julian Nagelsmann stood on the sidelines, shouting continuously. In response, referee Antony Taylor judged that the Spanish defender did not intentionally block Musiala’s shot, so he quickly allowed the match to continue.

“Coach Nagelsmann kept shouting handball, handball. However, referee Anthony Taylor allowed the match to continue. The English referee didn’t even look at what was happening around. VAR didn’t get involved either, it’s quite confusing”, German channel DW described the situation. Former German team player Bastian Schweinsteiger spoke up: “Someone must speak up and explain clearly. Certainly, that was not a situation where the referee intentionally missed the German team’s penalty. The Spanish defender clearly did not get close to him. My heart ached and froze when I saw something like that. The German team was unlucky today.”

ARD channel expert Thomas Hitzlsperger shared: “For me it doesn’t make any sense. I would say that nine times out of ten, the decision has to be a penalty. Why the German team didn’t get a penalty, ask the referee, it’s a mystery.”

Speaking to ARD channel, coach Nagelsmann was angry: “I have tried to use my experience for many years to analyze why the German team did not receive a penalty. However, there is no reasonable assumption. If Musiala kicks the ball out, I won’t react. However, if the ball goes clearly towards the goal and the Spanish player blocks the ball with his hand, a penalty must be awarded.

The penalty we received against Denmark was not even as clear as this situation. I don’t understand why it wasn’t a penalty even though it was repeated 48,000 times on the football field.” Immediately after the match, many German fans criticized referee Antony Taylor on social networks. BILD newspaper said that German fans are gathering signatures and are ready to send a lawsuit to the European Football Federation (UEFA).

“The Germans need a clear and satisfactory answer. Antony Taylor has caused a lot of controversy in England, but this is a European playground. The matches represent the national spirit and the German team is bitter.” It’s bitter to lose the match this way,” BILD commented.