The controversy has not completely subsided, but Éric Wattellier wanted to set things straight. In an interview given to The Independentthe Lille-PSG referee returned to the particularly lively end of the match on August 28, marked by the Parisian equalizer from Marquinhos in the 90th + 5 minute. While the additional time announced was three minutes and several Lille residents, including Olivier Létang, had denounced a “scandal”the referee ensures that he strictly applied the regulations. “During this additional time the Lille goalkeeper remained on the ground and lost some time which must also be added”he explains. Wattellier specifies that he warned the two coaches and his fourth referee that there would be “three minutes plus one”either “four minutes minimum”. An additional minute also justified by a loss of time by the Lille left side on a throw-in. “It is an accumulation of waste of time which must be added to respect the fairness of the meeting, which was done”he says.
The referee also returned to the episode of Berke Özer, who remained on the ground after catching a cross from Achraf Hakimi in the 90th + 2. Images from the “ref cam” showed Wattellier asking the Lille goalkeeper to get up, warning him that an extra minute could be added. “Regulationally there was nothing shocking”he believes, ensuring that he explained his decision to the Lille leaders in the tunnel. “We know that the slightest unfavorable arbitration decision against a team is a pretext for contesting, for discarding oneself and not looking at the shortcomings that, perhaps, one’s team has had”he continues. And to conclude with a touch of bitterness about the role of the referee in current football. “It’s always easy to attack the referee even if legally everything is clear and square”regrets Wattellier. For him, this controversy “has no place to be”even if she “part of the football circus”.
