French Football League (LFP) President Frederic Thiriez responded to the "criticism that was aimed at him after the airing of a video that showed him apologizing" to Paris St. Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi for the"quality of refereeing in the Lens-PSG match Friday night," according to LE PARISIEN. The referee "harshly tossed three players (two Lens and one Paris)." RC Lens President Gervais Martel indicated that he "received the same apology after the match." Thiriez said, “What’s the problem? I was at the Stade de France sitting between Martel and Al-Khelaifi during the match. I saw what everyone else saw. A celebration spoiled, a game that could have spiraled out of control. I myself went down to the side of the field near the match representatives, for the last half-hour, because I was afraid of misbehavior in the stands. I am sorry for the spectators, the players, and the presidents of the two clubs for what happened. That’s what I told both presidents, who are my friends, at the end of the match. The fact that my impartiality is being questioned, I will not stand for it. ... I am within my role by responding this way. I feel responsible for the quality of performance and fairness of matches. Unfortunately, refereeing is not part of the League, we simply pay for the service. Why should professional refereeing not be within the jurisdiction of the LFP? I posed this question to the Minister of Sports. (French Football Federation President) Noël Le Graët knows my position. I am for the professionalization of refereeing as in England. And it works very well” (LE PARISIEN, 10/21).
