That was the reason I told him to cancel the Penalty. I dont cheat in football. And after everything that happened, I told the ref to cancel it.”-FANS SHOCKED after realizing why Patrick Dorgu told the referee not to give Man United a penalty as the Real Sociedad player won the ball, leading to VAR overturning the decision. MASSIVE RESPECT 👏.
A Remarkable Act of Sportsmanship
With Manchester United leading their Europa League last-16 tie against Real Sociedad 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate, they were awarded a third penalty after referee Benoit Bastien ruled that Patrick Dorgu had been fouled by Hamari Traore.
However, as the decision was being reviewed by VAR, Dorgu took it upon himself to correct the call. The 20-year-old gestured to the referee, indicating that there had been no foul. VAR agreed, and the penalty was overturned.
United went on to secure their place in the quarter-finals with two more goals, sealing a 5-2 aggregate victory. Yet, Dorgu’s honesty stood out as a true moment of fair play.
“I’m Proud of Him”
United manager Ruben Amorim praised the young defender for his integrity.
“It’s a good thing,” Amorim said. “I’m proud of him. But I cannot say if I would have the same response if the score was 0-0 or if we were losing.”
Football is an intense and competitive sport, where the desire to win often takes precedence. However, moments like these remind us that integrity can shine even in the heat of battle.
When Fair Play Triumphs
Instances of sportsmanship like Dorgu’s are rare but not unheard of. Over the years, football has seen remarkable displays of honesty and fair play that transcend the game itself.
Here, BBC Sport revisits some of the most memorable moments when sportsmanship prevailed over the pursuit of victory.
In Manchester United’s decisive 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the Europa League, young defender Patrick Dorgu demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship. After being awarded a penalty following a challenge by Hamari Traore, Dorgu approached the referee to insist that no foul had occurred. This led to the penalty decision being overturned without the need for a VAR review.
Fans and pundits alike lauded Dorgu’s honesty, highlighting it as a rare and commendable act in modern football. United manager Ruben Amorim expressed his pride in the 20-year-old’s integrity, acknowledging that such decisions might be more challenging in different match circumstances.
The match itself saw Bruno Fernandes achieve a hat-trick, setting Europa League records, and Diogo Dalot adding a fourth goal, securing a 5-2 aggregate win for Manchester United. Despite the competitive nature of the game, Dorgu’s actions served as a poignant reminder of the importance of fair play in sports.
