François Letexier courageously came to explain his decision to expel Amine Harit at the microphone of DAZN, despite the disapproval of most of the former players who are now consultants for the Ligue 1 broadcaster. The Breton referee did not seek to deny the consequences of the red card, drawn in the 20th minute, following a match largely won by the Parisians (3-0), but he defended his position.
“I know that this decision had major consequences and on the spectacle of the rest of the meeting. But what drives me is that my technical decisions are fair,” he confirmed. PSG already led by a goal and Marseille subsequently scuttled, but the choice of Letexier was still hotly debated.
“From the start I have the feeling that this gesture endangers the physical integrity of the opponent,” confided the official. I take the time to think, Marquinhos takes off his t-shirt and there is the mark of the crampons on his sternum. It is both the action at real speed and the consequences that motivate the red card. »
Although the gesture of the Marseille attacking midfielder, whose gaze is focused on the ball, does not appear deliberate, “it is clearly the endangerment of the physical integrity of the opponent which predominates, it is our duty to protect the players,” comments the referee.
Letexier also indicated that he had been supported by video assistance, hence the fact that he did not go to review the images himself. “If the technical conditions push me to make an important decision in the 20th minute, I have to do it,” he concludes. When a player arrives with his leg extended on the opponent’s sternum with visible crampon marks, I find it difficult to consider that physical integrity has not been compromised. »
