Lens-Lille: Controversial penalty, scuffles and Knight’s blow… the final story of the derby heat

Hot northern derby. With high expectations from Lensois and Lille supporters, the face-off between RC Lens and Lille turned in favor of the visitors. After winning against Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League, Losc ended a dream week by leaving. win at the Bollaert stadium 2-0 Saturday for the 9th day of Ligue 1. Success obtained at the end of extra time thanks to a penalty from Jonathan David (98th) and a goal from Mohamed Bayo (101st).

Leca: “The problem with French football is the ego of some referees”

As in the Spanish capital, the Mastiffs benefited from a whistle from the referee that seemed like a stroke of fate: a penalty awarded after a handball from Kevin Danso in the Lens area in a confusing action, which could have turned in either direction. An arrangement decision that goes badly for Jean-Louis Leca, Lensois sports coordinator, which is not kind to Benoît Bastien.

“We really touched on the problem of French refereeing: it’s called the ego of certain referees. The rule is clear: when the ball hits the hand after touching another part of the body, there is no penalty. The rule is very clear, and on top of that, there is the VAR who makes the call. More measured but “frustrated”, Lensois coach Will Still recognized “a misunderstanding between what was said at meetings at the beginning of the season and what has changed or is different in cases like this.”

Knight’s chambers are then redesigned

The penalty program was on everyone’s mind at the end of the game when scuffles broke out between players, at the end of a game that was tight throughout, despite the overall boredom. To make matters worse, Lucas Chevalier (as Jonathan David featured) upset Sang et Or supporters after his team’s victory. “I didn’t see him live, but we talked about it in the locker room, and I know he was given comments,” his coach said. Bruno Genesio. He is still a very young player, he is from Lille, and he is probably the one who experienced the most emotions in this derby. He also needs to learn. He is an exceptional boy. I think it can happen. We gave him the idea, and it won’t happen again.” The Lensois have already marked the weekend of March 30, 2025, the date of the reunion at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium.

Original article published on RMC Sport