Nice: the FFF confirms a refereeing error

This is a sequence that caused a lot of talk after Olympique Lyonnais' big victory against OGC Nice on Sunday (4-1). While it was 3-1 for the Lyonnais after 48 minutes of play, a clash between Duje Caleta-Car and Evann Guessand in the 48th minute brought the Aiglons bench up. The Croatian defender held his opponent by the arms and made him fall in the area, pressing on his foot. But despite the video assistance, the referee, Bastien Dechepy, chose not to whistle a penalty.

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And in its analysis, the Refereeing Department considered that a penalty should have been awarded. “The footage shows the defender holding the attacker back, with a clear girdling of one arm, then both, and a lack of interest in the ball. The slight sole on the attacker's left foot cannot in itself justify a penalty. The intervention of the defender does not allow the attacker to continue his action after control of the ball, and constitutes a fault within the meaning of Law 12. A penalty was therefore expected following the viewing at the edge of the field, as well as 'a warning to the offender for unsporting behavior'.