Monaco – PSG – But how was Singo able to escape the box after disfiguring Donnarumma?

Neither yellow card nor red card. This is a decision that will be talked about for a few days. In the 21st minute of Monaco – PSG, Wilfried Singo, who misses his dive ball, embeds his crampons in the right cheek of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The image is terrible, the shock gripping. The unfortunate Italian doorman remained for many minutes lying on the lawn, stunned. His face, bloody, is lacerated. He obviously has to leave his place.

But the referee of the match, François Letexier, decided not to sanction the Monegasque defender even if he canceled the corner for a free kick in favor of the French champions. Singo had already received a yellow card a few minutes earlier. Why did the referee decide not to send him off either with a direct red or a second yellow card?

The explanation can only lie in the unintentional nature of Singo’s violent gesture. In fact, everything depends on the interpretation of the laws of the game decreed by the IFAB (International Football Association Board). This specifies that in the event of a fault:

• “We speak of a ‘reckless’ attitude when a player competes for the ball without attention, consideration or precaution. No disciplinary sanction is necessary.” Understand that the perpetrator does not receive a yellow card.

On the other hand, the line is fine with the following paragraph which justifies a sanction:

• “We speak of a ‘reckless’ attitude when a player acts without taking into account the dangerous nature or the consequences of his act for his opponent. He must be warned.“

The red card must be shown in the following situation:

• “We speak of a ‘violent’ attitude when a player uses excessive force at the risk of endangering the physical integrity of his opponent. He must be excluded.“

François Letexier therefore considered that Singo’s attitude was reckless but neither inconsiderate and even less violent. An interpretation that Gianluigi Donnarumma obviously did not understand, furious in the locker room at the break…