In an unexpected and new way, the refereeing department justified on its site the penalty which had been awarded to PSG then withdrawn by video during the last Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg.
Failing to always be clear during the match since they were still not equipped with microphones, the referees decided to express themselves a posteriori and, a few days after the events, the FFF refereeing management returned to the penalty awarded then refused to Bradley Barcola during PSG/Strasbourg last Saturday. It was via the official Ligue 1 website that the communication took place, with a complete video, a reminder of the facts and the justification.
As a reminder, we then play the 62nd minute at the Parc des Princes and Barcola escapes into the area, well served by Lee: “The referee sanctions Strasbourg defender Mamadou Sarr with a penalty, in the duel with Parisian striker Bradley Barcola. The latter falls while Strasbourg defender Diego Moreira, on the attacker's right, clearly plays the ball and deflects it. Seized with doubt about the sanctionable nature of this duel, the referee initiates a viewing at the side of the field. »
“The defender trying to play the ball with his gaze focused solely on the ball: this duel is not punishable”
The analysis of the refereeing department justifying this choice not to award the penalty is as follows: “The images first show the light contact of defender Mamadou Sarr's hand on the left shoulder of attacker Bradley Barcola, the defender trying to play the ball with his gaze focused solely on the latter: this duel is not not punishable. While the two players are falling, the second defender plays the ball regularly and manages to deflect it, without any contact with the attacker: the intervention here is regular. This viewing at the edge of the pitch allowed the referee to correct his initial decision: no penalty was expected. »
Failing to agree with the referee Mr. Stinat, we must at least salute the willingness of the referees to explain and justify, with supporting images, the decision taken. We would have liked the same thing from UEFA as a blatant penalty was refused to Marco Asensio on Tuesday evening during PSG/PSV, again after use of VAR when it had initially been awarded .
