• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Real Sociedad issue statement on 'disgraceful' refereeing for Man Utd clash as Spanish club share conspiracy theory

Home> Football> Football News> Man Utd

Published 14:23 14 Mar 2025 GMT

Real Sociedad issue statement on 'disgraceful' refereeing for Man Utd clash as Spanish club share conspiracy theory

Sociedad are not happy with the situation and have made their feelings clear.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Real Sociedad, Manchester United, Europa League

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Real Sociedad have issued a furious statement over the officiating in their 4-1 Europa League defeat to Manchester United.

The Spanish side were knocked out 5-2 on aggregate by United over the two legs, with the away defeat on Thursday being the second time they have conceded four goals in one match in March.

Sociedad gave away two penalties in the first half after initially going 1-0 up through Mikel Oyarzabal's spot kick.

Advert

Bruno Fernandes converted both for United, before completing his hat-trick in the second half.

Diogo Dalot added further gloss to the scoreline against Sociedad, who went down to 10 players at 2-1 down after substitute Jon Aramburu was sent off for bringing down Patrick Dorgu as the last man.

But the major debate of the night unsurprisingly surrounded penalty kicks, with four being awarded by French referee Benoit Bastien during the second leg.

The fourth award, which was initially given for a foul on Dorgu by Sociedad's Hamari Traore, was later overturned.

Dorgu went up to Bastien and told him that it should not be given as a penalty, in a remarkable act of sportsmanship.

Now, via their official website, Sociedad have accused the match officials of 'favouring' United at Old Trafford in a sensational statement.

Advert

Contained within the match report - which itself is titled 'Outrageous' - the statement reads: "It is difficult to understand that such refereeing decisions are made in Europe. It was absolutely disgraceful.

"A brave and proud Real Sociedad could not advance due to decisions that have consistently favoured United. An unfounded penalty and a questionable red card forced Real to accept defeat, despite their great effort.

"The home team quickly equalised with another very dubious penalty, this time for a foul by Zubeldia on Hojlund, allowing Bruno to score and level the match.

Benoit Bastien officiated Sociedad's 4-1 defeat to United (Image: Getty)
Benoit Bastien officiated Sociedad's 4-1 defeat to United (Image: Getty)

Advert

"At the beginning of the second half, the French referee disgracefully awarded a completely non-existent penalty. It is shameful that such a decision is made in Europe.

"To make matters worse, during a counter attack, the referee issued a direct red card to Aramburu. He seemed to call every possible foul against Real.

"Additionally, he awarded another penalty that the United forward, Dorgu, had to clarify was not a foul.

"Real Sociedad bids farewell to the Europa League with immense frustration. Today, they made it impossible for them. We will return. We are Real."

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
3 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    UEFA Has Issued Five Forfeits for Champions League Matches

    The UEFA Champions League returned this week.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Vinicius Jr Reveals the Only Club He’d Leave Real Madrid For

    Vinicius Jr started on the bench for Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Marseille.

    Football
  • Getty
    10 hours ago

    Chelsea Player Savaged by Own Fans After Bayern Munich Loss

    Chelsea lost to Bayern Munich in their return to their Champions League.

    Football
  • Getty
    10 hours ago

    Alexander Isak's Liverpool Debut Stats Emerge After Dramatic Win vs Atletico

    Alexander Isak made his debut as Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid.

    Football
  • Real Sociedad star ruled out of Man Utd clash after being 'denied entry into UK'
  • Real Sociedad player aims dig at Man Utd hours before Europa League clash as Erik ten Hag comment made
  • Man Utd fans all have the same complaint after first-half vs Real Sociedad and it’s nothing to do with their performance
  • Paul Scholes slams Man Utd player for 'criminal' act during Man Utd draw with Real Sociedad