Refereeing Favours Saint-Étienne: Luc Holtz Levels Heavy Accusations After Metz Draw

Metz manager Luc Holtz openly questioned the refereeing after his side’s 2-2 draw with Saint-Étienne on Saturday evening in Ligue 2 (matchday 7). While Saint-Étienne led 0-2 at Geoffroy-Guichard, Metz managed to equalize late in the match — but Holtz left with grievances far beyond the scoreline.

“There are certain refereeing decisions I struggle to understand,” said the Luxembourg-born coach in his post-match press conference. He then drew an explicit parallel with a previous encounter: “The one I saw in Dunkerque-Saint-Étienne was somewhat identical…” Without ever directly naming ASSE, Holtz suggested that refereeing decisions went “often in favour of one team,” leaving little doubt about the target of his criticism.

These are not trivial accusations. By pointing to a recurring pattern across multiple matches, the Metz manager suggests systematic preferential treatment benefiting the Saint-Étienne club in Ligue 2, which goes beyond a simple post-match outburst.

Holtz did, however, take time to praise the opposition. He called Saint-Étienne “the best team in Ligue 2,” noting that “everything they do with the ball is well-drilled, it’s quick” and that “individually, they’re very strong.” Praise that contrasts with the bitterness of his refereeing comments, and which paradoxically reinforces his point: why would a team so dominant need a helping hand from the referees?

On Saint-Étienne’s side, the draw leaves regrets after leading by two goals. ASSE, managed by Ian Cathro, remains one of the most prominent teams in the division, but these accusations could fuel debate in the coming weeks if further refereeing incidents were to occur.