FFF takes position after the derby Saint-Étienne incident - OL

The Fédération Française de Football (FFF) reacted on Sunday night to the incident during the derby between the AS Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais. In a communiqué issued at the end of the day, the institution focuses on the aggression suffered by the assistant referee, Mehdi Rahmouni, and not on the main arbitrator, François Letexier, as suggested by the Professional Football League and the arbitrators’ union.

Following the jetting of a room that hit Mehdi Rahmouni, the police arrested a suspect and placed him in custody. The match, initially interrupted for about 45 minutes, resumed and ended with a victory by the Stéphanois over their Lyon rival (2-1).

The FFF expresses its solidarity with Mehdi Rahmouni and the entire body of referees, stressing that this is the second attack suffered by referees this weekend, after the incident during the Quevilly Rouen Métropole – FC Rouen match in National.

The institution strongly denounces this “attack on the physical and moral integrity of arbitrators, who deserve respect and consideration”. She now calls “all football players to ethical and responsible behaviour”.

The investigation continues and the question remains: why did the poster resume after such an act? FFF hopes to obtain clarification on the circumstances of this incident.