In an interview given to The TeamNice-Nantes referee François Letexier, the target of several criticisms for his performance, explains his decision not to whistle a penalty on Matia Viti’s double hand in his area: “without possible interpretation, his first hand is not punishable, because fully stuck to the body. The second hand is susceptible to interpretation. But I do not sanction it, for two technical criteria: 1. It results from a first contact therefore not punishable, following a clear deflection of the ball, Viti not being able to anticipate the fact that he will come on his second hand, given its high speed and short distance. 2. As he moves his arm inwards, I deduce a desire to reduce his body surface rather than extend it. I was far from the action, but I had the confirmation of what I thought at the sight of the images.
The 33-year-old official also regrets not having been able to explain his refereeing decisions to Canaris coach Antoine Kombouaré: “Robin Chapapria (the fourth referee, accused of having lied by the Nantes coach, editor’s note) only has sound and no image. When he mentions to him “a deviation of the body” after what I told him, he includes, in good faith, the first hand, not punishable. I was able to explain it to Ludovic Blas, but not to Mr. Kombouaré, even if I waited for him, just before the second half. I should probably have waited longer to clarify these elements to him, which I was finally able to do on Tuesday (after the coach’s public statements on Monday). We should also have gone to see the images on the penalty awarded to Nice (transformed by Pepe at the very end of the match). When it ends with so much incomprehension, I necessarily have a share of responsibility.
