Lardot: “Well mistake by Coosemans, but no red”

INTERVIEWS Referee boss Jonathan Lardot today gave explanations for the three disputed phases from Anderlecht - Gent. Lardot admits that Colin Coosemans did indeed make a pulling error, but red was out of place. “And that's why VAR could not intervene,” he explains.

Lardot indicates that referee Lothar D'Hondt should have blown a foul and pulled a yellow card. Red, as Gent coach Wouter Vrancken claimed, would have been excessive. “The striker turns around and stands with his back to goal. Even Theo Leoni could have still intervened. These elements indicate that it was not a clear goal chance. Therefore, VAR could not intervene either.”

The second disputed stage then: Jordan Torunarigha's second yellow card. This one Lardot thought was unjustified. “It was a clever defensive tackle,” the referee said. “The Gent player touches the ball and lets it change direction. Then there is contact. We expected the referee to let it pass. Because it was a yellow card, VAR could not intervene.”

Lardot did think the exclusion of Matisse Samoise was justified. “We have to analyze the facts. After the phase, he clearly dealt a kick,” Lardot said.

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