The explanations of the arbitration body do not pass after Rennes

The Ligue 1 match between Stade Rennais and theAS Saint-Étienne was marked by a controversial arbitration decision. To the 36ème minutewhile the score was still drawn (0-0), the central referee Marc Bollengier granted a penalty in Rennes and expelled Mathieu Cafaro for a hand deemed intentional in the area.

The referee explains his controversial decision

After the match, Marc Bollengier justified his choice to award a penalty and exclude the Saint-Etienne player. According to him, “in view of the situation, you have an artificial increase in body surface area which effectively results in the penalty”. Initially uncertain about contact between ball and armthe referee called on thevideo assistance who confirmed this contact. L’exclusion of Cafaro was then decided due to a “deliberate gesture which leads to this contact of the arm on the ball and a shot which goes towards the goal”.

A decision in accordance with the laws of the game

Faced with criticism ofspirit of the gameMarc Bollengier defended his position by invoking “the factual side of the laws of the game”. According to him, “hand position is an increase in body surface area”thus justifying the technical decision to whistle a penalty. As for theexpulsionit follows logically from “deliberate gesture” of Cafaro leading to a shot on target.

A controversial arbitration

Despite the referee's explanations, his decision remains controversial. Many observers have questioned the voluntary nature from the hand of Cafaro and judged thesevere expulsion. This contentious decision certainly weighed heavily in the heavy defeat of the Greens with a score of 5-0.