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

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.

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.

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)

"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."