Olympique de Marseille players have erupted in anger following their 2-2 draw with Le Havre, directing their fury squarely at referee Samir Benettaya and the officiating team for what they described as a “scandalous” performance that cost them victory.
The match, played on Sunday, May 19, 2024, saw Marseille take a 2-0 lead through goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 26th minute and Iliman Ndiaye in the 32nd minute. However, the game’s complexion changed dramatically after the break.
Le Havre pulled a goal back in the 48th minute through André Ayew. The major controversy arrived in the 90th minute. Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi was adjudged to have fouled Le Havre’s Josué Casimir inside the penalty area. After a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, Benettaya pointed to the spot. Christopher Operi converted the penalty in the 90+5th minute to snatch a point for the hosts.
The decision sparked immediate and fierce protests from the Marseille squad. Goalkeeper Pau López was particularly incensed, confronting the officials at full-time and needing to be restrained by teammates. His post-match comments were scathing.
“It’s a scandal, a disgrace,” López stated. “We are all very angry. The penalty is non-existent. The referee told me the player was pushed, but I saw it clearly on the screen—there is no push. It’s a shame for football. We are fighting for Europe, and they take points from us like this.”
Midfielder Jordan Veretout echoed his teammate’s sentiments, labeling the officiating a “disgrace” and confirming the players’ collective frustration. “We are all angry in the locker room,” Veretout said. “It’s always the same story. We work hard all week, and in the end, the refereeing decisions go against us. It’s a disgrace.”
The dropped points have significant consequences for Marseille’s European ambitions. The draw leaves them eighth in Ligue 1 with 47 points, now five points behind RC Lens, who occupy the final European qualification spot. With only one match remaining in the season, Marseille’s hopes of securing continental football for the 2024/2025 campaign are now hanging by a thread.
The club’s official stance remains to be seen, but the players’ public denunciation of the refereeing sets the stage for a potential formal complaint to the French football federation.
