Rennes denied last-gasp equaliser vs Villarreal by VAR due to little-known rule

Rennes were denied a last-minute equalising goal against Villarreal after a bizarre VAR decision.

On Thursday night, French Ligue 1 side Rennes hosted Spanish La Liga outfit Villarreal as the pair battled to finish top of Group F in the Europa League.

Inside the final 10 minutes, Villarreal were leading by 3-2 thanks to Dani Parejo’s goal.

Deep into stoppage, Lorenz Assignon thought he had levelled the score and secured his team top spot in the group.

However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR check, which left many people baffled.

At first, it was thought that the goal was ruled out due to offside as referee Atilla Karaoglan put his arm in the air to signal the goal had been chalked off.

However, it was later believed that the goal was ruled out due to a little-known rule.

Prior to the goal, Rennes were awarded a free-kick, which midfielder Enzo Le Fee took.

Le Fee’s effort hit the woodwork and bounced straight back to him before he played the ball to his teammate.

Eventually, the ball made its way to Assignon, who put it past goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

However, according to England’s FA Law 13, which covers free-kicks. It was explained that a player taking the free-kick cannot touch the ball first without another player touching it once the ball is back in play.

It states: “If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player an indirect free kick is awarded.”

Rennes thought they had scored to secure a place in the #UEL last 16, deep into added time, but VAR had other ideas 😳

Can anyone work out why this goal was disallowed? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/WHsxtuEt6I

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 14, 2023

According to the Daily Mail, UEFA are believed to be using a similar ruling to the English FA.

Speaking after the match, Rennes manager Julien Stephan said, as per NST: “I knew the rule existed for penalties, I didn't know it existed for free kicks.”

As a result of the defeat, Rennes finished second in Group F, meaning they will have to take part in a play-off match for a place in the Europa League round of 16.