Joe Hart has predicted a wave of fury from Premier League goalkeepers after Marc Cucurella’s goal for Spain against Austria was ruled out for a soft foul – a decision the former England No 1 described as leaving keepers “throwing their food and drink at the TV”.
The incident came during Spain’s 3-0 round-of-32 win in Los Angeles, with Cucurella’s early strike chalked off for an apparent infringement on Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. The decision was reviewed and upheld by VAR, but Hart, now a BBC pundit, was scathing.
“Joe Hart says Marc Cucurella's disallowed goal for Spain will enrage Premier League keepers.”
“There are going to be Premier League goalkeepers throwing their food and drink at the TV,” Hart said. “What’s gone in the Premier League this season, for this to be disallowed. It is really soft, it is just people challenging for the ball.”
The former Manchester City stopper pointed to a stark contrast between the leniency afforded to goalkeepers in the Premier League last season and the strict interpretation at the World Cup. Spain were already dominant before the call, going on to win comfortably through two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and a header from Tottenham’s Pedro Porro. But Hart argued the decision could have altered the contest.
When reminded that Jonathan Tah had also seen a goal disallowed in similar circumstances earlier in the tournament, Hart conceded that something had to be done about the “ridiculous” levels of wrestling at set pieces. “It was almost impossible for a goalkeeper. It was getting out of hand,” he admitted. “But I think they could have handled it better than chalking off two perfectly good goals in the World Cup.”
Hart’s comments come as the tournament continues to grapple with the balance between protecting goalkeepers and allowing fair challenges. With Premier League stars likely watching from home, his warning may prove prophetic – particularly if more such decisions follow.