Some football fans were furious after Bruno Fernandes appeared to dive in a bid to win a penalty during Manchester United’s Europa League semi-finals defeat to Sevilla.
Fernandes went down in the box after what seemed to be minimal or no contact from former Manchester City defensive midfielder Fernando.
The referee clearly didn’t believe that there was any foul-play at hand here and waved away the protests, which begs the question if this wasn’t deemed a foul is it therefore not a dive that needs to be punished?
Fernandes had actually already bagged a penalty by this point, with the Portuguese playmaker firing the Red Devils into an early lead from the spot, unfortunately for United that didn’t last.
Professional Diver. pic.twitter.com/EndEtVjUAK
— Scouser Chris (@ScouserChrisLFC) August 16, 2020
Here’s how some football fans reacted to the moment:
This is shameless.
— Azuki Sirkal (@SirkalAzuki) August 16, 2020
Fernandes with another bang average performance with a penalty and dive thrown in.. but signing of the season apparently ?
— Charlie Paviour (@CPaviour) August 16, 2020
Bruno Fernandes dives so much it’s just unfortunate he couldn’t dive into a final ?
— Ferran Torres (@ferranholic) August 16, 2020
Okay look. If Bruno Fernandes is gonna dive everytime he gets touched in the box and not get booked for simulation what are we actually saying??
— Jaden Freeman (@JadenAbstrakt) August 16, 2020
Michael Phelps would be proud
— Fabiyayo ???? | ???? (@liverpuldian1) August 16, 2020
Dolphins are
Proud of him.— Neel?????? (@Neel0043) August 16, 2020
This is cheating ?. Must be banned
— Mel Mboma?????? (@MelMboma) August 16, 2020
Fernandes is starting to build an alarming reputation for apparently deceiving match officials with antics like this, should the Red Devils have a word with the ace or is this being blown out of proportion?