ANTOINE KOMBOUARÉ BLASTS ‘SCANDALOUS’ DECISION AS NANTES LOSE 3-1 TO LYON

Antoine Kombouaré has criticized the referee’s decision not to dismiss Alexandre Lacazette (32) during FC Nantes’ 3-1 loss to Olympique Lyonnais.

In a game played in front of empty stands, one voice could carry its displeasure with absolute clarity as the Nantes manager was audibly outraged after Lacazette received only a yellow card for a foul on Nathan Zézé (18) that left the defender’s face covered in blood.

The two players went for the same high ball and Lacazette’s elbow collided with the defender’s face, VAR checked the incident and deemed it as an accidental foul brought about by the natural movement of the forward’s jumping motion. Enough for a caution but not enough to send him off.

This infuriated Kombouaré who believed that the referee should have gone to the

screen and checked the replay himself. The game at the time was in the balance

and to Kombouaré’s frustration, the forward remained on the pitch where he

could play a pivotal role in helping the visitors to record a comeback victory

that leaves Nantes two points above the bottom three.

“I’m very angry with the referee,” the manager said. “Let [the referee] go to the screen and make the decision they want…” I enter the locker room, and when I view the replay, I am scandalized and upset.” Kombouaré went on, “Even if Lacazette’s movement was involuntary, as the referee claims, it’s a red card every day, a foul. Even in ten years, I’ll continue to call it a red card.