Ligue controversy erupts as Wattellier’s added minutes infuriate Lille

The first refereeing controversy of the season erupted in Ligue 1 when referee Éric Wattellier allowed play to continue beyond the three minutes of added time originally announced, leaving the Lillois furious after they had held a precious lead against Paris Saint-Germain before conceding an equaliser in the 90+5 minute.

Stadium reactions

Les joueurs lillois saw the decisive seconds see Davide Ancelotti’s side concede the leveller at 90+5, prompting an outburst from the Lille players.

Olivier Létang shouted ‘c’est un scandale’ in the corridors of the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, expressing the anger that rippled through the dressing room.

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Nabil Bentaleb later spoke on Ligue 1+ microphone, saying ‘Il a dit que sur leur but on a perdu une minute. Après on va pas rentrer dans les détails parce qu’on connaît les conséquences’.

Davide Ancelotti, speaking to Ligue 1+, praised his players’ performance and tried to defuse the issue, adding ‘Si on n’a pas gagné ça signifie qu’il a manqué quelque chose’.

He concluded that a lesson must be learned. The article attracted nine comments from readers.