Antoine Griezmann was not happy after Greece-France… REUTERS / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI
After the draw against Greece (2-2) on Tuesday evening in Athens, Antoine Griezmann and Didier Deschamps did not understand the absence of goal-line technology.
Special envoy to Athens
Usually reluctant to complain or express his dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions, Antoine Griezmann showed annoyance on Tuesday evening in Athens, after the final whistle of the match against Greece (2-2). Aware of his team’s gap in the second half, with two goals conceded against the Greeks, the captain of the evening (Mbappé started on the bench) especially did not appreciate the referee’s decision not to accept the goal on the last shot deflected from Coman who seemed to have crossed the line (90+4). Official broadcaster of the meeting, TF1 ensures, after viewing different angles, that the ball had entered the Greek goal.
“The goal-line technology was missing, UEFA has a lot of money and they have to get everything right so that we know if there is a goal or not », plagues “Grizou” on an incident of play which does not assure the Blues of victory and especially the first place in the Fifa ranking. In the event of Argentina’s victory against Brazil next night, in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the South America zone, the French team will end the year behind the reigning world champions. Griezmann knows it and cannot digest it. “If they (UEFA) want us to play more matches, we also ask them for more technology», he admits, quickly followed by his coach.
Read alsoThe notes of the Blues: Kolo Muani scorer (too) neutral, Fofana decisive, Koundé in pain
Inconsistent with high-level requirements.
Didier Deschamps
«We are at international level, there is no qualification at stake (the Blues were already there before the match and Greece, 3rd, assured of the play-off, Editor’s note) but it could have been thats, says Didier Deschamps. Having a pitch without a goal line (technology) is inconsistent with high-level requirements. The referees suffer, but they are 95% sure she is in.»
And the boss of the Blues continued: “This has no impact, we could have had a match won, with a full card and assured of being first in the world rankings… But it’s not the Var who made us concede two goals either. We had a 10 minute absence (in the second half). It’s a gaming incident, because of the stakes, the new technologies are there for that, it’s surprising to say the least that we’re witnessing such a situation..»
“In modern football, these are details that should not happen”
Lucas Hernandez
Same story in the mixed zone after the meeting in Athens. Between incomprehension and annoyance. “On the action, I was a little far awayadmits William Saliba. But at the end of the match, I was shown the footage. There is no photo, the ball has completely crossed the line. We could have won this match.»
«I just saw the photo, in modern football, these are details that should not happenLucas Hernandez plague. This must not happen again in the future.. Fortunately it was not a decisive match for qualification.” Same story with Brice Samba: “I don’t want to get into controversy, but I don’t understand how a match of this level takes place without this technology.»
