Fans think VAR made huge error as new angle of second incident before Man Utd penalty emerges

Fans are convinced that Athletic Bilbao defender Dani Vivian should not have been sent off in the first half of the Europa League semi-final first leg against Manchester United.

Vivian was sent off by the referee after VAR deemed him to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, without making an attempt for the ball, with the score at 1-0 to United.

Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty to make it 2-0 to Ruben Amorim's side, before the Portuguese then added his second goal to pile further misery on the 10-man hosts.

Some fans argued that Vivian had not made sufficient contact with Rasmus Hojlund for a penalty to be awarded, but attention quickly turned to a prior incident.

Alejandro Garnacho slipped just outside the area, before regaining his balance and running out wide.

But as the Argentinian got back to his feet, he appeared to deflect the ball off his hand - which causes it to stop - before taking it forward.

Check it out below.

تابعني هنا @SIRDLV
تابعني هنا @SIRDLV pic.twitter.com/qRk8KuC6jh

— 🫵🫵🤯🫵🫵 (@xc46_z) May 1, 2025

However, the IFAB Laws of the Game indicates that the decision not to penalise Garnacho was the correct one.

The relevant section of Law 12, relating to handball, reads: "A handball offence is not committed when a player heads, kicks or plays the ball with another part of their body and it then hits their own hand/arm (unless the ball goes directly into the opponents' goal or the player scores immediately afterwards)."

In other words, had Garnacho's handball resulted in a goal scored by himself, the Argentinian would have committed a handball offence. But as the move continued, there was no offence.

At 3-0 up against 10 men, Ruben Amorim's side will now be focused on adding more to their lead as they look to establish an even more commanding position heading into the second leg at Old Trafford.

For Bilbao, the final will be held at their home stadium - giving them even more incentive to at least reduce their deficit in what will be a hugely challenging second half.