BARCELONA manager Xavi was left fuming as he felt his side were denied a clear penalty against Manchester United.
The Spaniard claimed that Red Devils midfielder Fred handled the ball in the box and that referee Maurizio Mariani should have pointed to the spot.
In the 85th minute, Barcelona star Sergio Roberto had a header in the United box and replays suggested that the ball scraped the outstretched arm of Fred.
If a penalty was given it could have handed the LaLiga giants an opportunity to win the Europa League first leg at the Nou Camp.
After the game, Xavi said: “Fred’s handball? It’s a penalty, it’s very clear.
“They didn’t give it to us in Milan in the Champions League, I don’t know what we have to do.
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“And they tell us that they have checked it, I find it incredible, incredible.”
VAR did look at the incident, but did not decide to overturn the on-field decision.
Erik ten Hag was also left angry with referee Mariani for missing a foul on Marcus Rashford on the edge of the hosts’ box.
The Dutch manager was booked for making his feelings clear during the game, with many fans sending their support to him on social media.
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The two sides will face off in a mouthwatering second leg next Thursday at Old Trafford.
Neither side have a score advantage due to there not being the away goal rules in the Europa League.
Marcos Alonso scored the opening goal of the game in the 50th minute before United fought back.
Rashford scored the equaliser in the 52nd minute and a Jules Kounde own goal put them in the lead seven minutes later.
However, former Leeds star Raphinha’s cross in the 76th minute managed to evade everyone and level the tie.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
