Monaco’s frustration in Strasbourg has been vindicated after the French refereeing authority conceded that the visitors should have been awarded a late penalty in Saturday’s Ligue 1 match.
Refereeing authority admits Monaco penalty error at Strasbourg
The disputed moment came in the 89th minute, when Monaco forward Matthis Abline went down inside the Strasbourg area while challenging Jeyland Mitchell. Referee Eric Wattellier did not review the incident at the pitch-side monitor, despite a lengthy VAR check.
Aleksandr Golovin was booked for protesting the decision, while Monaco coach Filipe Luis made his anger clear after the final whistle. The Brazilian said he believed the contact was unmistakably a penalty.
“For me, there is no doubt: it is a penalty,” Filipe Luis said. “I can understand an official missing it in real time, but if VAR takes so long to check it, why does he not go to the screen?”
VAR should have sent Wattellier to the monitor
Monaco subsequently contacted the Direction Technique de l’Arbitrage for an explanation over the Abline incident, as well as Strasbourg’s opening goal. The Principality club believed the referee had touched the ball during the move which led to Racing’s free-kick.
In its review published on Tuesday, the refereeing body accepted that the decisive error concerned the unpunished challenge on Abline.
It said Mitchell placed his right leg into the Monaco attacker’s running line without playing the ball, then made contact with Abline’s left leg. That contact caused the forward to fall and lose possession.
The authority ruled that the action amounted to a foul under Law 12 and stated that the video officials should have recommended an on-field review, leading to the penalty Monaco expected.
The decision will not alter what happened in Alsace, but it confirms Monaco’s belief that they were denied a major late opportunity during a tense trip to Strasbourg.
SEO Title: Refereeing body admits Monaco were denied penalty at Strasbourg
SEO Description: Monaco’s late penalty appeal at Strasbourg has been upheld after the French refereeing authority said VAR should have advised an on-field review for Matthis Abline’s challenge.
