Refereeing draws Garde´s ire

Lyon head coach Remi Garde blamed poor refereeing decisions for his side’s 1-1 draw with Nancy in Ligue 1 on Wednesday.

Referee Jean Cailleux turned down Lyon’s penalty appeals before Jordan Loties gave Nancy the lead in the 74th minute.

Michel Bastos salvaged a point for Lyon seven minutes before time, but Garde was infuriated by the officials nonetheless.

“I think we could have scored first,” Garde said.

“We should have been awarded a penalty by the referee and it was not given, that was the pivotal moment of the game, because we have never lost a game at home when we have taken a 1-0 lead.

“We had the opportunity to win but tonight the referees stopped us from winning and cost us two points.”

Continuing his attack, Garde said he was hoping for more luck from the officials in the weekend’s blockbuster clash with PSG.

“It is hard when you can’t win games, when you do not have help or when you are not refereed well,” he said.

“I allow myself to say it because it’s really rare that I say something about the referees at the end of game but I hear a lot of talking about referees.

“I think that it is a pity to not be refereed well. I know that some people complained lately that we see a lot of penalties but if you deserve a penalty, you have to give it.

“It’s simple. I hope that in the future penalties will be given to us, maybe in the next game.”

Lyon sit top of Ligue 1 on 35 points, three clear of PSG and Marseille.