« Back
Speaking to Prime Video in the wake of his team’s 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain tonight, Angers defender Romain Thomas notably pointed the finger at the referees and what he sees as a failure in the application of VAR.
On the call to award the penalty that would lead to Kylian Mbappé’s winner – a handball decision against Perrick Capelle – Thomas claims that he was fouled by Mauro Icardi immediately before the incident.
“It’s unbelievable, what’s happened… To lose 2-1 here is nothing to be ashamed of, but in this fashion, it’s just not possible. We work all week to put in a proper match, it doesn’t make sense that the referees wouldn’t take the time as well. I’m getting tired of this VAR business. We’ve poured millions into it and we don’t even know how to use it.”
“It annoys me because I’m passionate about football and devoted to it, I pay attention to what I do. Icardi commits a foul at the start of the play, he pulls my arm, I fall, and then makes the most of his position to win the penalty. I’m frustrated.”
“Before he went over to see the VAR screen, I took the time to tell him that it wasn’t the penalty incident with the handball and the header, but beforehand. He profits from the duel against me at the start to be in front of the defenders. I ask the referee, he tells me it was checked by the VAR people. That’s not true, it’s a lie!”
