Auxerre exercise unique Ligue 1 rule in match versus Lyon

A controversial penalty decision in the AJ Auxerre-Olympique Lyonnais match this weekend triggered a little-known Ligue 1 rule to be exercised.

With the match even at 0-0 near the end of the first half, Lyon were awarded a penalty kick when Georges Mikautadze (23) hit the deck from a Gideon Mensah (26) challenge.

The visitors protested that referee Jérémie Stinat had already blown for a goal kick earlier in the move. Auxerre’s assistant coach, Jean-Marie Stephanopoli, was sent off during the confusion after a VAR check awarded Lyon a penalty.

AJA captain Jubal (31) submitted a formal complaint to the referee, known as a written technical reservation.

In French football, such a request can be made after a referee’s decision and before play resumes, which is why there was a delay of over 15 minutes before the Lyon penalty was taken.

Article 559 of the French football rulebook states, “A reservation on technical issues is only admissible if it is made to the referee by the captain that makes the complaint during the stoppage of play, and which is the consequence of the contested decision.”

If the challenge is successful, the goal in question can be ruled out, and the match is therefore replayed. This reserve must be sent within 48 hours by registered letter to the Professional Football League and accompanied by a sum of €76.

Mikautadze stepped up and converted from 12 yards away.  DAZN spotted Jubal submitting the complaint to the referee, though the team did not follow up on the complaint after the final whistle.

That means the 2-2 draw will stand, with Auxerre manager Christophe Pélissier stating that he spoke with the ref at the end of the match.

Auxerre came from behind twice to earn a point and are now undefeated in consecutive Ligue 1 fixtures, vaulting them up to 13th in the table.

GFFN | Joel Lefevre