“The game is being undermined by a lack of refereeing firmness…” Legend of the French XV and SU Agen, Philippe Sella steps up to the plate

When disappointed fans witness their team's defeat, many of them often explain it with a blunt “It's the referee's fault.” Just after the SUA match in Grenoble, Philippe Sella sent us a long message.

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When you know the man who is always measured, the player who is always respectful of his opponent, it is impossible to reduce his missive to an expression of his disappointment. The analysis, as precise as it is technical, of certain faults called or not whistled during the match, and the precise reminder of the regulations cast a very critical eye on refereeing, as it is too often practiced now.

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“How many offsides were not called?”

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“First of all, I would like to say that Olmstead's yellow card is imaginary because, during the game, he does nothing abnormal. After a hesitant start, Agen recovered well, but was not helped by the refereeing: penalized in the scrum… while the opposing number 3 pushed across. How many offsides not called? Much, much too much. The offside rule is not respected enough by the players, because there is too much refereeing carelessness. What do the linesmen do? They give themselves a measured role so as not to chop up the game too much. I can understand them, but it doesn't help either the players or the teams. The rule is the rule. In scrum, you must be five meters from the last player in scrum. On the sidelines, you need players 10 meters from the sideline. Finally, on mauls or rucks, players who are not part of them must be 50 centimeters away. If there is offside, it is a foul. And if there is no advantage, we return to the place of the fault. In my opinion, due to a lack of refereeing firmness, the game is mishandled, therefore less fluid, marred by faults which could seem minimal, but which disrupt runs, passes, movements, while we are looking for changes in rhythm. , accelerations, spaces with available players around the ball carrier. Around the scrum and the sidelines, the rules are very strict. Likewise around rucks and mauls. Are these rules always respected? Efforts must be made. When this happens, then the attackers will be able to give themselves these necessary centimeters in order to develop winning movements, that is to say which advance into the opposing goal. It must be said that these reflections are not specific to the Grenoble-Agen match. I see them practically in all Pro D2 or Top 14 matches. To meditate and meditate again. »

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A big thank you, Philippe, for putting into words what many supporters felt on Friday evening.