‘This is the last time I talk about referees’ – Roberto De Zerbi cites Ukraine war and Donald Trump in response to Marseille referee controversy | OneFootball

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Olympique de Marseille’s Ligue 1 match against FC Nantes on Friday, head coach Roberto De Zerbi insisted that he will no longer talk about referees until the end of his time at Marseille. He also said he expresses solidarity with referee Jeremy Stinat and his family, after his tyres were allegedly punctured ahead of kick-off against Auxerre last weekend. “I’m sorry I can’t express myself in French, because I really want the translation to be as accurate as possible so that you fully understand my point of view on these controversies. And this is the last time I will talk about referees while I am the coach of OM,” began the former Brighton and Sassuolo coach at Marseille’s training ground in the presence of Get French Football News.“This really is the last time. I have learnt that there had been threats against the referee, that his tyres had been slashed. If this is true, and he has said it is, then it must be believed. I express my full solidarity with him and his family,” De Zerbi says in relation to the alleged slashing of Ligue 1 referee Jeremy Stinat’s car before kick-off against Auxerre last weekend. “Football should stay on the pitch and not spill over.”

‘Everyone can think what they want, but I have my own view of things’

De Zerbi went on to address his own thoughts once more on the punishment, and criticism of referees in Ligue 1 in general. “I can confirm 100% everything I said after the match. I said that I believed in the good faith of the referees. In my opinion, the refereeing was not impartial. There were blatant errors. We didn’t lose just because of that, we played badly, but his role was decisive all the same.”“In my opinion, these are serious mistakes. Some may think I’m wrong, but that’s their problem. These days, I read that even Trump said that Russia did not invade Ukraine. I was in Ukraine, I know what happened. Everyone can think what they want, but I have my own view of things.”GFFN | George Boxall