Fuming fans claim ‘football is corrupt to the core’ after decision in Euro final

FANS fumed at the "disgraceful" decision in England's Euro 2024 final loss to Spain.

Nico Williams opened the scoring just after the break before substitute Cole Palmer excellently curled home a leveller.

But it was familiar heartache as Mikel Oyarzabal came off the bench to put Spain ahead with five minutes to go.

Four minutes were added on by official Francois Letexier at the end of regulation time, and Spain did their best to run down the clock.

A string of subs, set-pieces and fouls looked sure to add an extra few valuable seconds or minutes onto the end of added time as England desperately bid for a dramatic leveller.

But the very second the clock struck 94, Letexier put the whistle to his mouth and blew up, handing Spain the trophy.

And that left England supporters in disbelief, adamant they had been short-changed.

One fan wrote: "Spain wasted a good minute or two or added time and blows of 4 min and could’t wait to do so.

"Football is corrupt to the core."

Another fumed: "At least 3 of those 4 mins were wasted by Spain and the ref blew bang on 4 mins."

One raged: "Disgraceful that the ref called full time at 94’ sharp."

Another slammed: "Disgraceful to waste time like that for Spain and the ref not accounting for it."

There is obviously no evidence of any corruption and Spain had, admittedly, been much the better team.

England made the unwanted record of becoming the first side to lose consecutive Euros finals - three years on from penalty heartache to Italy.

Manager Gareth Southgate refused to commit his future to England in the aftermath of the loss.

But he also said: "I think Spain were the best team in the tournament. We didn’t keep the ball well enough.

"We were in it until the last ten minutes. I’m devastated for everyone. We have just fallen a little short.

"We had a little bit of momentum in the game at that point [when Cole Palmer equalised].

"There’s a big chance at the end to equalise too but across the 90 minutes, I’m not sure we did enough.

"Spain press well and you have to keep the ball when you win it back. In the end, that’s the bit that takes more out of your legs.

"I think the players will take enormous credit for getting us to where we did but when you’re as close as that, you have to take your chances.

"They have represented the shirt with pride and haven’t been beaten until the very end. I just think tonight Spain had more control of the game."