Auxerre express ‘surprise’ at Marseille referee choice complaints | OneFootball

Ahead of this weekend’s Ligue 1 clash between Auxerre and Olympique de Marseille, tension has risen between the two sides concerning the decision to appoint referee Jérémy Sinat to oversee the match. According to La Provence, Les Phocéens sent a letter Technical Directorate of Refereeing (DTA) to protest against the appointment of Stinat as the main referee. Their reasoning was that Stinat was the official who complained about the allegedly threatening behavior of Medhi Benatia during OM’s Coupe de France Round of 16 match against Lille. OM’s director of football was shown a red card and subsequently handed a three-month suspension by the French Football Federation’s disciplinary committee, whereas Lille’s Olivier Létang had only received a one-month ban for similar behaviour during the same match. OM also criticized a “lack of emotional intelligence” whilst aiming to highlight a perceived inconsistency in the decision.On Wednesday, it was Auxerre’s turn to react. The Burgandy club published a statement on their official club website expressing “surprise at the communication and controversy sparked by Olympique de Marseille regarding the appointment of Mr. Jérémy Stinat to referee the match between the two clubs. Beyond this behavior, which it considers inappropriate and contrary to the values that should govern any sporting event, AJA has no doubt that Mr. Stinat will officiate this match with impartiality and integrity, free from any external influence.”GFFN | George Boxall