Marseille president Pablo Longoria is facing potential disciplinary action after launching a scathing attack on match officials, alleging “real corruption” following his team’s 3-0 defeat to Auxerre in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
The Spanish executive was furious over several controversial refereeing decisions, including a denied penalty appeal and a red card for Canadian defender Derek Cornelius.
Marseille, currently second in Ligue 1, were trailing 1-0 when referee Jérémy Stinat waved away their penalty claim just before half-time. Their frustrations grew when Cornelius received a second yellow card in the 61st minute, leaving them a man down before conceding two late goals.
Longoria was not alone in his criticism. Former Marseille striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, now an advisor at the club, also slammed the officiating.
Marseille had already objected to Stinat’s appointment before the match, as he had been the fourth official in their French Cup loss to Lille, a game that saw their sporting director Medhi Benatia suspended for three months.
French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo condemned the accusations, calling them defamatory, unacceptable, and reprehensible.
“To question the integrity of our officials is defamatory, unacceptable, and reprehensible,” Diallo said in a statement.
France’s refereeing union SAFE also rebuked Longoria, saying, “No Mr. Longoria, French referees are not corrupt! Losing a match does not justify calling into question the integrity of French referees.”
Adding to the controversy, broadcaster DAZN reported that Stinat’s home was targeted by vandals following the match, with his cars damaged in an apparent act of retaliation.
With tensions escalating, Longoria is expected to face disciplinary action for his remarks, further fueling the debate over refereeing standards in French football.
