The FFF arbitration management published its now traditional summary of the decisions made during the last weekend of Ligue 1 on Wednesday. The oversight of the controversial situations during the 27th day of play in the matches between OM-Lille and OL-Monaco may provoke anger. The decision-making body analyzed two hot situations but did not address the big controversies in these two matches.
After a contentious 27th day of Ligue 1 marked by several disputed referee decisions, the eagerly awaited summary published by the FFF arbitration management this Wednesday did not address the most controversial incidents of the weekend. The penalty awarded to PSG against Nice (4-0) and the disallowed goal of Anthony Rouault during Rennes-Metz (0-0) were validated, but nothing was mentioned about the contentious incidents in the matches between OM-Lille (1-2) and OL-Monaco (1-2).
Greenwood saved during OM-Lille but no red card for Verdonk
During a crucial moment in the game between European contenders, OM and Lille, Mason Greenwood experienced a severe foul from the Indonesian defender during a counterattack in the 12th minute, leading to Greenwood leaving the field. Calvin Verdonk, who was involved, received only a warning from referee Benoit Bastien. This incident was not revisited by the FFF arbitration management.
The only positive news after Greenwood’s early exit was that OM provided an update on his injury. Despite initial concerns of a muscle injury from the violent collision, it was determined that he had suffered a quadriceps injury in his left leg, and his progress will be monitored daily.
OL cries foul after Monaco’s penalty
The absence of analysis by the FFF arbitration management regarding the match between OL and Monaco, where Monaco was awarded a penalty, is likely to provoke discontent among fans and stakeholders of the club. OL denounced both the decisions and the conduct of referee François Letexier during the match, especially after the penalty that shifted the game’s outcome.
Key players such as Corentin Tolisso, Moussa Niakhaté, Paulo Fonseca, and technical director Matthieu Louis-Jean criticized the penalty given to Monaco, emphasizing that the referee and VAR should have reviewed Denis Zakaria’s shirt pull on Endrick at the start of the play. Silence from the FFF arbitration management in their summary adds to the frustration of the clubs and fans, potentially sparking criticism against referees or even conspiracy theories.
FFF supports referees
When contacted by RMC Sport, the FFF did not provide a precise comment on the absence of analysis for the OM-Lille and Lyon-Monaco matches. However, the FFF expressed full support for the arbitration management in their brief. The FFF reminded that this weekly exercise is primarily educational, with the selection of situations chosen with this purpose in mind.
In essence, there is no intention to be comprehensive every week, especially considering the continuous exchange between clubs and the arbitration management, as seen in the decisions of the OM-Lille and Lyon-Monaco matches. The FFF emphasized that Ligue 1 is the only league to offer a weekly arbitration summary.
Jean-Guy Lebreton with FP
