VAR denies Rennes stoppage-time equaliser in UEFA Europa ...

Rennes were denied a stoppage-time equaliser in their UEFA Europa League clash against Villarreal after a VAR check ruled it out due to a free-kick law.

With Villarreal leading 3-2, the hosts thought they had grabbed an equaliser 11 minutes into added time when Lorenz Assignon scored inside the box.

Moments after the players and the stadium had celebrated, the referee signalled for an indirect free-kick following an intervention from VAR.

In the build-up leading to the goal, Rennes player Enzo Le Fee had taken a free-kick which hit the crossbar and fell at his feet before another player had touched the ball.

The IFAB laws of the game state: "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."

It was unfortunate situation for Rennes but the officials made the correct decision to rule out the goal.

With Rennes denied a point due to the VAR call, it means that they finish the group in second place behind the La Liga side and must win a play-off game to stay in the competition.

Speaking after the game, Rennes manager Julien Stephan said: I learned it too, I knew the rule on penalties, I didn't know that it could exist on free kicks. It's an emotional elevator.

"I knew the rule existed for penalties, I didn't know it existed for free kicks. It's an emotional rollercoaster at this moment in time."

It was a thrilling match at Roazhon Park on Thursday with Villarreal taking the lead after 36 minutes through a Gerard Moreno penalty.

Assignon made it 1-1 just a minute later but the visitors retook the lead once again after the hour mark through Ilias Akhomach.

Rennes responded once again with a goal from Ludovic Blas before Villarreal made it 3-2 a minute later thanks to Dani Parejo.

Parejo turned out to be the match winner after the frantic end to the game which saw the officials come to the correct decision.

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