Once the final whistle of the Classic between OM and PSG, the referee of the match François Letexier justified, on DAZN, his decision to award a red card to Amine Harit in the first period.
“Endangering the physical integrity of the adversary deserves exclusion.” If many seemed not to understand the red card given to Amine Harit for his high foot on Marquinhos in the 22nd minute of the Classic between OM and PSG (3-0 victory for PSG), the referee of the match François Letexier found it totally justified and came to explain why at the microphone of DAZN.
“I see Amine Harit arriving with his leg extended towards his opponent's torso. This is the first element that I distinguish at real speed. From the start, I have the feeling that this gesture endangers physical integrity of his opponent, rewinds the man in black. I take the time to think very quickly, Marquinhos takes off his t-shirt and I see the trace of the crampons at the level of the sternum. that I perceived at real speed and the consequences of the gesture, which made me decide to exclude Mr. Harit.”
“The deliberate nature of the gesture in no way changes the sanction”
“I want to confirm my vision at real speed with the consequence of the gesture, it was important for me. I know from experience that this type of gesture, when they are committed, necessarily generates a consequence on the body of the person. “If I have to judge whether the physical integrity of the opponent is in danger, I must see the location of the contact and whether the consequences are visible”, adds Letexier.
Le Goal Replay d’OM – PSG
“We are particularly vigilant because it is our job to protect the players. Endangering the physical integrity of the opponent, even when it is not generated by a deliberate and voluntary action of the player, deserves an exclusion, he explains, while some justified that the gesture was not voluntary. The deliberate nature of the gesture in no way changes the disciplinary sanction that must be given.
“I couldn’t doubt it.”
“In each red situation in particular, the video assistance watches. There, the VAR does not consider that my decision is a manifest error. On the contrary, they confirm to me that there is contact of the sole at the level of the torso, with an angle which was not broadcast by the production, which allows us to see the duel in profile On the freeze frame which was provided to me afterwards, we can clearly see the contact of the sole at the level of the sternum. I couldn't doubt it since I saw the consequences of the gesture,” concluded the referee.