Referees body admits penalty error in Monaco's Strasbourg draw
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
France's refereeing authority has confirmed that a foul on Matthis Abline should have earned AS Monaco a penalty in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Strasbourg.
France's Direction de l'arbitrage has acknowledged that referee Wattellier made an error in Saturday's Ligue 1 fixture between Strasbourg and AS Monaco, ruling that a foul on forward Matthis Abline in the closing stages should have resulted in a penalty kick for the visitors.
The admission comes after Monaco's club hierarchy made clear their frustration at the officiating immediately after the match ended 1-1. Had the spot-kick been awarded, Monaco would have had a clear opportunity to take all three points late in the game.
The ruling carries no practical consequence for the result, which stands, but the formal acknowledgement from the refereeing body does give Monaco's management some vindication. The club will be looking to convert those lost points into wins when their next fixtures arrive.