FFF: beware of comments "likely to discredit the role of the referee" (National Ethics Council)

"The Conseil national d'Éthique et de Déontologie du football (French National Football Ethics Council), having taken note of the statements made by Pablo Longoria (president of Olympique de Marseille) after the Olympique de Marseille - RC Strasbourg match (1-1, Matchday 18 in the Ligue 1 McDonald's) on 19/01/2025, wishes to warn all those involved in football, first and foremost the directors, against any public remarks likely to discredit the role of referee," stated the body, which reports to the FFF, in a press release on 21/01/2025.

The National Football Ethics Council is now chaired by Frédéric Thiriez, announced the FFF following the meeting of its executive committee on 16/01/2025. The former LFP president succeeds former referee Patrick Anton.

After OM-Strasbourg, Pablo Longoria lashed out at Bastien Dechepy's refereeing in an interview with broadcaster DAZN, criticising in particular a penalty that was not awarded at the end of the game: "I don't like to speak out after matches, but that's it. (...) The penalty given to Rowe was a scandal. It led to a goal and the player…