Amine Harit received a red card considered severe for a foul on Parisian captain Marquinhos, Sunday during the OM-PSG Classic (0-3). The images leave little doubt about the violence of the contact.
“I see the mark of the crampons at the level of the sternum.” It is with these words that Classic referee François Letexier justified on the DAZN microphone his controversial decision to expel OM attacking midfielder Amine Harit in the 20th minute, Sunday evening, at the Vélodrome. “I see Amine Harit arriving with his leg extended towards his opponent’s torso. It’s the first element that I see at real speed.”
On a full-axis clearance from his Argentinian goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, Harit was outpaced by Marquinhos who beat him to the ball. In a desperate gesture which he will say was not deliberate, since he had not seen Marquinhos leaving behind his back, the attacking midfielder stretched out his right leg. He hoped to catch the ball, but his crampons crashed into Marquinhos’ chest.
“I want to confirm my vision at real speed with the consequence of the gesture, it was important for me, explained François Letexier. I know from experience that this type of gesture, when they are committed, necessarily generates a consequence on the opponent’s body If I have to judge whether the opponent’s physical integrity is in danger, I must see the location of the contact and whether the consequences are visible.
The injury that the Parisian captain presents to him by lifting his jersey is spectacular and confirms it in his first judgment at real speed. Asked about the intentionality of Harit’s gesture, who was heard at the time of his exclusion explaining to the officials at the side of the field that he had not seen Marquinhos coming in his direction, François Letexier stressed that even when it is not ” deliberate and voluntary”, an action which endangers the physical integrity of an opponent “deserves exclusion”.
An explanation which apparently did not convince OM coach Roberto De Zerbi. “On the refereeing, I don’t speak, I let you decide. But to say that he saw marks on the side of Marquinhos, that must not exist. So when there is a head-to-head clash and that one player is bleeding, we send off the other?” said the Italian coach, whose team has already received four red cards this season.
“If you want to promote the spectacle, you can’t do that. Cornelius (excluded against Nice during the 4th day, Editor’s note), I didn’t understand. This evening, I don’t understand. Maupay who takes two yellows in two minutes, it was strange too (against Angers, 7th day). But I saw that in other matches too. It doesn’t help the show. But if that’s what they want, we’ll adapt. ” added De Zerbi.
Related News :