BRUNO FERNANDES brutally shut down a Spanish journalist who disagreed with Athletic Bilbao’s red card.
Fernandes bluntly explained the rules of the game after guiding his side to a their semi-final first leg in the Basque Country.
After a lengthy VAR review, Bilbao centre-back Daniel Vivian was sent off and conceded a penalty for pulling down in the 35th minute.
With United already 1-0 up thanks to ‘s back-post header five minutes before, Fernandes converted the penalty to double United’s lead under unbearable pressure from the home support.
But fans inside the San Mames were stunned when Vivian was given his marching orders by referee Espen Eskas, who claimed he failed to make an attempt for the ball when denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.
This point appeared to be lost on the reporter when questioning Fernandes, who had no issue setting the record straight.
The questioned whether the reporter knew the rules of the game in a frosty exchange.
The journalist began asking: “What did you think of the referee and whether he might have harmed Athletic Club?”;
quizzed back in Spanish: “Do you think it wasn’t a penalty?”;
Before the reporter replied: “I think it could be a penalty but not a red card.”;
But that prompted Fernandes to hit back: “‘Why wasn’t it a red card? Do you know the rules?’
“If he tries to tackle with his feet it’s a yellow card. If he pushes him or does it with his hands, it has to be a red card.”;
Bilbao players were outraged that had not been pulled up for a handball in the lead up toVivian’s foul.
Striker Inaki Williams said: “There are some plays that raise doubts.
“The play before the penalty comes from a handball by Garnacho, which the referee doesn’t see.”;
Fernandes insisted that he did not see the incident and pointed to a decision United should have got moments before.
The 30-year-old star then compared chatter around between and his native with .
He said: “I didn’t see it but I think there was also a penalty on Garnacho.
“Talking about the referee here, I think it’s a custom in Spain and .
“But I’m in and my mind has changed a long time ago and I’m not going to do it.
“The referees are like us, they make mistakes but I don’t think he made a mistake today.”;
The comment appeared to upset at least two of the hosts back in the studio.
Fernandes made it 3-0 with a composed finish from ‘s through ball on the brink of half-time.
The international is approaching 40 goal contributions this term, having scored 19 goals and provided 18 assists.
He already has the most assists in history, with 18 and his 27 goals are the third most scored in the competition.
