The derby ASSE-OL was marked by a strong controversy following its holding. The game, considered one of the most exciting of the year, resulted in a 2-1 win for ASSE. However, the arbitral decisions made at the meeting sparked many media discussions, including on RMC’s Rothen program.
One of the main sources of controversy was the decision of the assistant arbitrator to interrupt the game following the receipt of a play by an arbitrator. This action was widely criticized by supporters and commentators, including Jérôme Rothen, who said: “I’m not saying that before, we didn’t stop the games so that today, we shouldn’t do it. It’s an isolated act, they did very well, they saw it, they did their job. I say Bravo to the ASSE because we ask the club to take their responsibility. We can’t control someone coming in with coins. If the guy’s crazy, he knows it’s a serious act. When you do your thing to crazy people, if you can identify it is perfect and it will probably be banned from stadium for many years. "
Dugarry also expressed its opinion on the incident: “He was arrested anyway so it’s complicated to say. I want to stop the game… the problem is that it won’t change. But how? How can violence stop? We’re talking about a room, but apparently there were several. Then you’re going to tell me: maybe he’s a Lyon fan who’s aiming at the referee to stop the game and make Saint-Etienne lose. If we don’t stop the game, the guy has to be banned from stadium for life. Live! He’s had a stroke of blood, nothing to do with what he’s had, it’s over, it’s for life and it’s so bad for him. He doesn’t have to go to a stadium anymore or we have to stop the games.”
Tolisso’s fault with an ASSE player was also at the centre of the discussions. Eric Di Meco said: “With the images he had, it was enough to confirm his first impression. It’s not even up to the malleole. When you go to the side of the ankle… if you want to screw a guy, you go like that. When you see a guy who does this even if he doesn’t do it on purpose… you can break a guy! Those on the bus distorted the decision. But how can you remove the red when you see the images? The first feeling of the referee is good, but how he can get rid of himself by going to look at the image. "