The least we can say is that OM are not very enthusiastic about the idea of seeing Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs direct their round of 16 second leg of the Europa League at Villarreal this Thursday.
According to information from RMC Sport, which we are able to confirm, the Olympian club wrote to UEFA to express its dissatisfaction.
The Marseillais in fact have the precedent of last summer in their throats.
This same referee then officiated during the first leg confrontation in Greece (1-0) against Panathinaikos last August.
And after the elimination of the Champions League in the 3rd preliminary round, OM sent a letter to complain to the European body.
OM considered a one-sided arbitration, with a severe red card against Geoffrey Kondogbia and a doubtless forgotten penalty on François Mughe... "There are faults from Panathinaikos that he does not whistle... And as soon as we touch the opponent, he whistles directly,” summarized Azzedine Ounahi at the time.
𝗟𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗮̂𝘁𝗲𝗮𝘂 🍒
A creamy piqué balloon cooked up by chef @Auba to punctuate the magnificent Marseille evening against Villarreal 🤌 🍰#SublimeCôtedIvoire ✨ pic.twitter.com/peWxgChPf2
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) March 9, 2024
In view of the tense relations between the Phocaeans and the man in black, they consider his appointment as a lack of sensitivity on the part of UEFA.
It's up to them to be attentive in Spain and not to squander the four-goal lead (4-0) after the demonstration of the first leg at the Vélodrome.
OM is not the only French club to have crossed paths with the Romanian.
In November 2021, Lille complained about its arbitration despite a success on the field of Sevilla FC in the Champions League (1-2).
Istvan Kovacs, who is far from unanimous in the refereeing body, has the reputation of having a heavy hand in terms of warnings.
This season, in 24 matches under the whistle (including the rout of PSG at Newcastle (4-1) in the group stage of the Champions League), he has already taken 122 yellow cards from his pocket...