Three red cards, match interrupted after a spectator entered the field threatening the referee. In the 56th minute, shortly after the referee Pierre Gaillouste issued a third red card against a Metz player, a spectator escaped the vigilance of the stewards and entered the field to attack him, before being caught and evacuated by the security service. In the process, the referee went to the benches and told the coaches that he was suspending the match because the safety of the refereeing team was no longer assured, according to comments from the fourth official taken up by the broadcaster. The interruption lasted 25 minutes and the match was able to resume after a public announcement indicating that the match would be definitively stopped if a new incident will happen.
The first half had been crazy, in the good sense of the term, since the Metz led 3-1 thanks to a double from Ablie Jallow and an own goal from Vincent Manceau from the second minute. Jeremy Livolant had meanwhile temporarily equalized from the penalty kick. But at the half-hour mark, referee Pierre Gaillouste showed a first red card to a Metz player: Kiki Kouyate, cautioned at first, was sent-off for having vehemently contested this sanction and precipitated the defeat of his team. Stephen Quemper first reduced the score for the Bretons at the start of added time before the referee awarded a second penalty kick in favor of Guingamp. Goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja, who was returning from a three-match suspension, was penalized for touching Livolant on an aerial outing and was directly sent off by the referee. The Lorraine goalkeeper came out of the field in tears after this very severe decision. Gaetan Courtet did not tremble to bring the Guingampais up just before the break. Shortly after returning from the locker room, Mr. Gaillouste, copiously whistled and insulted by the public, sent off a third Metz player, Danley Jean-Jacques, for a violent tackle on the tibia of Tristan Muyumba. The match was then interrupted and after the resumption, Metz, reduced to only eight players, defended heroically but ended up cracking against effective Guingampais by conceding three new goals from Dylan Louiserre, Warren Tchimbembe and Livolant. (Source: Le Figaro)
Both French referee unions, SAFE (pro) and UNAF (amateur), denounced these serious incidents. “Shocking images and facts. The serious incidents that have marked professional football since the start of the championship are appalling”, denounce the two unions.” The SAFE and the UNAF can only strongly condemn the gestures and acts of violence observed which give a very bad image of football to the amateur world. Last season was marked by violent attacks on amateur football pitches and the UNAF has wanted an increase in sanctions for several years. These images, which are chilling for some people, always lead to more difficulties in the accomplishment of the mission of referees in Leagues and District competitions”, indicates the press release. (Source: SAFE)
