Refereeing error costs Auxerre
Thursday, October 10, 2002
Article summary
AJ Auxerre have been ordered to replay last month's fixture against CS Sedan-Ardennes.
Article body
No win situation
The referees committee of the French Football Federation (FFF) ruled Auxerre's 3-1 home victory null and void because match official Stéphane Moulin had allowed the hosts to kick off after Sedan's equalising goal with two Sedan players still in the opposition half. Auxerre scored straight from the restart, prompting a protest from the visitors.
Auxerre to appeal
Auxerre said they would appeal the ruling. "We will try everything to overturn the verdict," vowed coach Guy Roux. But Sedan coach Henri Stambouli applauded "a good decision".
Worrying precedent
There is a worrying precedent for Auxerre. In 1992/93, the FC Girondins de Bordeaux-Toulouse FC game had to be replayed after a mistake by the referee in applying the new back-pass law. Last season Auxerre's match at Sedan was postponed three times due to bad weather.
