He had the closed mine and all the French press knew that he was going to let go. Bitter, Bruno Genesio did not hesitate to knock out the arbitration and especially the absence of VAR after the elimination of his team, who beat Leicester (2-1) but leaves the Europa League Conference in the round of 16. While leading 2-1, the Rennais Stadium could (and should have) benefited from a penalty at least, on a violent nudge in the face of Serhou Guirassy. In the first leg, the Rennais had already been deprived of a goal at the King Power Stadium on a double hand not whistled. Decisions that made Genesio green with rage. “We missed the VAR. When we organize a European competition, we must offer a form of fairness. In both games, we are harmed by at least one penalty. I will not overwhelm the referee. But I dont understand. Someone has to explain to me why we organize a European competition but why we don’t do it under the same conditions. If it’s like that, there’s no point in organizing it, ”tackled the Rennes coach after the meeting. Before swinging with a big dose of irony: “I don’t think UEFA has financial problems”.
In the stands of a boiling hot Roazhon Park, the analysis was the same. The supporters, disappointed, did not understand that their team did not benefit from one, or even several penalties. Chants of “UEFA Mafia!” came down from certain stands. At the last second of the match, a hand was forgotten while all the Rennes staff demanded the penalty. One goal and Rennes went into extra time. “Perhaps we are refereed differently because we are Rennes and we are less attractive than Leicester to play in a European Cup quarter-final,” adds Genesio. A few minutes later, Florian Maurice fired in the same direction at the edge of the lawn of a Roazhon Park which had become calm again.
“We were refereed very averagely. The VAR would have helped us. I don’t see how we can’t nudge Serhou,” said the sports director of Stade Rennais.
Asked about the same subject, midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud refused to add more. “I don’t want to talk too much about refereeing. I prefer to salute the performance of the team, the atmosphere at the stadium, it was incredible. I think the fans are proud of us. We are definitely frustrated. I think we deserved it”.
Brendan Rodgers had seen “one of the best atmospheres”
In a press conference, Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers did not wish to argue. It is understandable, his team clearly took advantage of the situation to win a qualification which seemed on the verge (or a hand, or an elbow) of escaping him. “On the last situation, the ball comes from the sky. Our player doesn’t see it, it wasn’t intentional, he wasn’t looking. The referee was well placed to see. Well placed but probably not comfortable with the idea of whistling a penalty at the last second of such a close match. Never varnished against English clubs (we made you such a long list here), Stade Rennais left the competition with their heads held high but with a hangover.
The supporters will console themselves with these congratulations sent by the Foxes coach after the meeting. “The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic. The whole atmosphere was great, I loved it, it was extraordinary. It’s one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever been to,” slipped Brendan Rodgers. Note that the man has coached Liverpool and Celtic in the past. Take that English!