The 35-year-old referee reconsiders his decision to award a red to Marseillais Amine Harit on Sunday at the Vélodrome.
The OM-PSG Classic (0-3) changed in the 20th minute on Sunday at the Vélodrome. The moment chosen by François Letexier to expel Amine Harit. The Marseille attacking midfielder made the mistake of arriving “with the leg extended towards the torso of his opponent (Marquinhos). From the start, I have the feeling that this gesture endangers the physical integrity of his opponent. I take the time to think and I see the mark of the crampons at the level of his sternum. It is these two elements which decide me to exclude Mr. Harit”declared the referee of the match, who took his courage in both hands to come and justify himself on DAZN (see video below). This is rare enough to be commended. “I am not in the logic of convincing you but of explaining”explained Mr. Letexier again, straight to his feet.
Relaunched, the 35-year-old whistle confirms that the mark on the torso of “Marqui” weighed heavily in the balance. “I want to confirm what I saw at real speed with the consequences of the gesture”he emphasizes, brushing aside the fact that the Moroccan’s gesture was not voluntary. It wasn’t decisive in his eyes. What was, “It is the endangerment of the physical integrity of (Marquinhos). This is what we are particularly vigilant about, it is our job to protect the players. Endangering the physical integrity of an opponent, even when it is not deliberate and voluntary, deserves exclusion. The deliberate nature of the gesture in no way changes the disciplinary sanction that must be given.he insists, also ensuring that “video assistance does not consider my decision to be a manifest error, on the contrary”. Mr. Letexier also specified that the VAR – which he did not request at the time – had “from an angle which was not broadcast by the production and which allows us to see the duel in profile”. Of which act.
Also read
OM-PSG notes: Neves omnipresent, Barcola and Dembélé decisive, the Marseillais overwhelmed
If these technical considerations should lead me to make strong and courageous decisions in the 20th minute of a match, I must do so.
François Letexier
“By making a decision like that in the 20th minute, I have no doubt that it will have an impact on the course of the match, but our job is to make decisions based on technical considerations. And if these technical considerations should lead me to make strong and courageous decisions in the 20th minute of a match, I must do so.he continues, reaffirming that “the physical integrity of the adversary has been damaged”.
Moreover, François Letexier “does not dispute that both players are playing the ball. If he (Harit) had not played the ball, it would not have been a gross foul but an act of brutality. The reason for the exclusion would have been different. So I’m not disputing that he plays the ball, but I’m saying that between a player who plays the ball with his chest and another who plays it with his leg outstretched and a sole at the level of his sternum, there is a difference. which seems major to me”he deciphers, ensuring that he has “took (his) responsibilities and did (his) job as referee”. And to conclude: “I am aware that this decision had an impact on the show and that is not what we are looking for, it is technical accuracy. I know that my decisions have big consequences, I’m sorry for those who were disappointed, but I believe I’m right when I do my job and try to be technically fair.. OM have suffered four red cards since the start of the season in L1, more than any other team.
