Overview

• The Direction Technique de l’Arbitrage (DTA) condemned referee François Letexier for overturning Lucas Stassin’s red card during the Saint-Étienne–Lyon match, stating the initial decision was not a clear error.
• The DTA criticized the VAR team for failing to provide additional camera angles, which could have clarified the severity of Stassin’s dangerous tackle on Corentin Tolisso.
• Tolisso was forced off the field on a stretcher due to the tackle, further fueling debate over player safety and refereeing standards in Ligue 1.
• Nantes coach Antoine Kombouaré publicly criticized Letexier’s officiating, labeling his recent performances as error-prone and attributing mistakes to referee fatigue from a packed schedule.
• The controversy has reignited calls for structural reforms in refereeing protocols, with increased scrutiny on VAR application and workload management for officials.