OM-PSG Classico: Controversial Missed Penalty on Gouiri Reignites Refereeing Debate

Olympique de Marseille fell 1-2 to Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday in the Classico at the Vélodrome, but it is an uncalled incident shortly before half-time that is now dominating debate: a challenge by Désiré Doué on Amine Gouiri, which many believe constitutes a clear penalty.

As Gouiri, having beaten Warren Zaïre-Emery, attempted to slip between Doué and Marquinhos, the young Paris striker extended his leg and brought down his opponent without touching the ball. Referee François Letexier did not whistle, and VAR did not intervene. According to La Provence, “Doué never touches the ball and takes out both legs of the OM attacker,” concluding that “the contact is obvious, the foul appears to be just as much so.”

Yet neither Bruno Genesio nor the Marseille players highlighted the refereeing in their post-match press conference, preferring to point to their own shortcomings. “We often lose on the same mistakes,” said the Marseille manager, citing “a lack of concentration, a lack of maturity too.” Neal Maupay, who squandered two clear chances, agreed: “I’m annoyed, obviously. I’m a striker, I have to score goals and that would have rewarded the team’s rather good performance. I would have liked to score, I should have scored.”

This collective self-criticism has not been enough to quell the controversy among supporters. On social media, many Olympique fans expressed their bewilderment at VAR’s inaction, with some calling the decision “shameful” or denouncing “a one-sided decision in a Classico.”

The defeat is yet another loss for OM against PSG in this format, and while Genesio chose not to fuel the refereeing controversy publicly, Doué’s challenge on Gouiri will remain at the heart of discussions surrounding this Classico.