Pablo Longoria Criticizes Ligue 1 Refereeing

Marseille President Slams Ligue 1 as a 'Shy Championship' After Defeat to Auxerre 🤬*

Football fans were left stunned as Marseille's president, Pablo Longoria, launched an explosive rant against Ligue 1 following his team's crushing 3-0 defeat to Auxerre on Saturday. Frustrated by the officiating and what he described as "corruption," Longoria didn't hold back, calling the French league a "shy championship"* and even hinting at a potential move to a European Super League.

🔥 The Shocking Outburst by Pablo Longoria

After the match at Stade Abbé-Deschamps, Longoria reportedly "flew into a rage" in front of journalists. According to La Provence, he shouted:

👉 “This is corruption! I’ve never seen anything like it. You can write it down: Pablo Longoria says it’s corruption.”

👉 “Everything has been organized since the third yellow given to Balerdi (suspended for this match). It’s planned, it’s rigged.”

👉 “There’s a penalty on Merlin—four European referees have told me so by message! And the most scandalous thing? The red card to Cornelius.”

👉 “This is a sh*y championship! If the Super League comes to see us, we’ll go right away.”

📉 Marseille's Current Standing in Ligue 1

After the loss, Marseille now sits 10 points behind Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), making their title ambitions increasingly difficult. The defeat also raises concerns about the club’s form, as they have managed only 2 wins in their last 7 matches.

⚽ Controversial Refereeing Decisions

Longoria's anger stems from multiple controversial calls by match officials:

✅ Balerdi’s third yellow card before the match, leading to suspension. ✅ Unawarded penalty on Merlin, which referees outside of France allegedly called a clear foul. ✅ Cornelius’ red card, which many believe was too harsh.

Refereeing has been a hot topic in Ligue 1 this season, with numerous clubs criticizing inconsistencies and questionable decisions.

📊 Marseille’s Struggles This Season

Despite having a talented squad, Marseille has faced a rocky season, struggling to keep pace with PSG and Monaco. Here’s a snapshot of their performance so far:

Position: 4th in Ligue 1 🏆

Points: 45 (after 24 games) 📊

Goals Scored: 38 ⚽

Goals Conceded: 27 🛑

Recent Form: ❌⚪✅❌❌ (2 wins in the last 7 games)

🌍 Could Marseille Join a European Super League?

Longoria's mention of a Super League move adds fuel to ongoing debates about the future of European football. If top clubs become dissatisfied with their domestic leagues, the Super League concept—once rejected—could gain momentum again.

However, such a move would be highly controversial, given FIFA and UEFA’s strict opposition to breakaway competitions.

👥 Fan Reactions: Outrage & Support

Marseille supporters are divided over Longoria’s comments. Some believe he is standing up for the club, while others argue he should focus on improving the team's performance instead of blaming referees. Here’s what fans are saying on social media:

📢 “He’s right! The refereeing in Ligue 1 is a joke. We need VAR improvements.” – @FootFanatic

📢 “Stop crying and play better football. Marseille has been poor this season.” – @Ligue1Watcher

📢 “If PSG had the same issues, would people care? Marseille always gets ignored.” – @OMForever

🔍 What’s Next for Marseille?

Marseille’s upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining their season’s fate:

📅 Next Match: Marseille vs. Rennes 🏟️ (Ligue 1)

📅 Key Clash: Marseille vs. PSG (Le Classique) 🔥

📅 UEFA Europa League Knockout Stage ⚽

If they fail to turn things around, tensions within the club could escalate further, possibly leading to managerial changes or even drastic moves in the summer transfer window.

🔴 Final Thoughts

Pablo Longoria’s bold accusations of corruption and rigged decisions have sparked intense debate. Whether his frustration is justified or just an emotional outburst, one thing is clear—Marseille faces an uphill battle in Ligue 1.

Will they bounce back stronger or continue their downward spiral? Only time will tell. But for now, all eyes are on Marseille as they attempt to salvage their season.

🔥 What do you think? Is Ligue 1 really a "sh***y championship," or is Longoria overreacting? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

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