The clash between Olympique de Marseille and Lorient was full of intensity, but one refereeing decision stole the spotlight. Cameroonian defender Darlin Yongwa was shown a red card after conceding a penalty, leaving fans, teammates, and pundits baffled by what seemed to be an overly harsh punishment.
The controversial incident occurred around the half‑hour mark. Yongwa attempted to stop a Marseille forward racing towards goal, but his defensive challenge was immediately whistled as a foul. To the surprise of many, the referee not only pointed to the penalty spot but also brandished a red card. This « double punishment » reignited the hot debate about refereeing consistency in Ligue 1.
Officials justified the call by invoking the last‑man rule and the denial of an obvious goal‑scoring opportunity. However, experts highlight that FIFA guidelines now allow more discretion: if the defender’s attempt is deemed a genuine effort to play the ball, the sanction can be reduced to a yellow card. The grey area in interpretation is at the heart of the controversy.
For Lorient, Yongwa’s dismissal completely changed the dynamics of the game, effectively giving Marseille a decisive edge. For the Cameroonian player, it was a night to forget, and one that once again raises questions about the fairness and clarity of refereeing decisions at the highest level of French football.