The referee for Arsenal’s Champions League match against Athletic Club, Donatas Rumsas, has a history of controversy involving Manchester United.
The Lithuanian official oversaw United’s Champions League game against FC Copenhagen in November 2023, which ended in a 4-3 defeat at Parken Stadium. United, then managed by Erik ten Hag, were leading 2-0 and looked set for a vital victory until Marcus Rashford was sent off after a VAR review for a tackle on Elias Jelert.
Rumsas came under further scrutiny later in the match, consulting the pitch-side monitor twice more and awarding penalties to both teams for handball incidents.
His decisions sparked debate and frustration from Ten Hag and pundits on TNT Sports. After the match, which saw United finish bottom of their Champions League group, Ten Hag voiced his disappointment.
He said, “I’m very disappointed about such decisions. The game is never meant to be like this. This has nothing to do with football. I think we played very well until the red card. The red card changed everything. It is a harsh decision; he was going for the ball. The review was over, then he went up to the screen. I think the referee was not sure.”
Former United player Owen Hargreaves described Rumsas’ handball calls as “soft” in his analysis. Paul Scholes also criticized Rashford’s sending off, saying, “In real time it’s just not a red.”
However, co-commentator Robbie Savage disagreed about Rashford’s red card, stating, “That for me is a red card. Initially, I thought he just turned, but I think that is a red card. When you see it from that other angle, he has gone to protect the ball. By doing that he has stamped on his shin and that is 100 percent a red card.”
Rumsas has handed out 22 yellow cards and three red cards in the seven Champions League matches he has refereed. Arsenal will be hoping to start their Champions League campaign strongly against the Spanish side, having reached last year’s semi-final before losing to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping Rumsas stays out of the spotlight during Tuesday’s match, which kicks off at 5:45pm UK time at the Estadio de San Mamés.
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