“it’s always against us”, the Marseillais feel persecuted by the arbitration

A new contentious situation not whistled in their favor during the match against Strasbourg (1-1) on Sunday angered the Marseillais, already very angry against the refereeing since the start of the season.

OM's week ended as it began: with a rant against refereeing. The Marseillais, held to a draw at home against Strasbourg (1-1) on Sunday, denounced a penalty not whistled for a contentious action between Guéla Doué and Jonathan Rowe in the penalty area.

“We also have to play against the referee”

Tuesday, they had already deplored an identical situation in the Coupe de France against Lille (1-1, 3 tab 4) while also protesting against the treatment inflicted on Medhi Benatia, sporting director of the club excluded for having complained about it to the fourth referee. On Sunday, Marseille President Pablo Longoria – who very regularly expresses his incomprehension about the lack of consistency in arbitration decisions in France – once again stepped up to denounce a new “scandal”.

Among the players, a feeling of fed up also predominated with the press. “There are things I can’t talk about,” said goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. “During the week, they (the referees) ask for forgiveness and recognize their mistake, like last week with the penalty, like after the one against Lyon. The truth is always against us.” He insists:

“I don’t want to make excuses but it’s still against OM.”

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For Luis Henrique, it is also clear: “there is a penalty”, launched the Brazilian winger, invited to analyze this situation. “I don't like talking about the refereeing but it's a shame, against us, it's always like that,” he added. “If there is a penalty for the others or something like that, they (the referees) give it. That's how it is, we have to play against him too. We have to forget, try to score points and continue the season. “

Captain Leonardi Balerdi had already broadcast this feeling of persecution at the final whistle in his interview with DAZN. “It’s starting to be a lot, there are really borderline situations,” complained the Argentinian. “With the referees, we try to stay calm but if he doesn't whistle… It was a clear penalty. They made 1,000 fouls and the referee didn't whistle. He whistled on the hand. Put Reds only for us, that works. Reds and penalties, it's only against us.