Eric Wattelier, the referee for last Friday’s match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lille on Matchday 2 of the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season, has been in the spotlight following the last-gasp 2-2 draw secured by the Parisians. The controversy stems from complaints by the Lille side—followed by lengthy debates among media and fans—regarding the extra minute added to the scheduled stoppage time. In an interview with the newspaper L’Indépendant, the official once again justified his decision and lamented the uproar over a simple application of the rules.
“ignoring the shortcomings their own team might have had.”
“During stoppage time, the Lille goalkeeper stayed on the ground and wasted time that also had to be added on,” the referee explained. “At that point, we notified both coaches. I told my fourth official that we would play three minutes plus one—so a minimum of four minutes—and I could also add that during stoppage time, I had to caution the Lille left-back for time-wasting by kicking the ball away.
“In the tunnel, some officials asked me why time had been added; I explained that it was simply the rules of the game. From a regulatory standpoint, there was nothing controversial about it. To me, this isn’t a real controversy; we are used to handling pressure and complaints. We know that the slightest unfavorable decision against a team becomes a pretext for protest—a way to deflect blame and avoid looking at the shortcomings their own team might have had.”
“It’s a controversy that shouldn’t exist.”
“It’s always easy to lash out at the referee, even when the regulations are perfectly clear and straightforward. I explained that, and the ‘ref cam’ footage proved it as well.” “It’s a controversy that shouldn’t exist, but that’s part of the ‘football circus,’ as I often say,” according to Le Parisien.
The explanation is very simple: the referee followed the rules. There is a minimum amount of stoppage time, to which extra time can be added based on match events. A goal, an “injury,” cards being issued—these things quickly add up the seconds. And, ultimately, there was just a little over a minute added following a dangerous spell of play around the Lille goal.
The referee signaled everything in real time. This can lead to frustration, as Lille was close to a landmark victory. But the stoppage time wasn’t to blame, nor was the referee. It came down to the nature of the game, Paris fighting to the very end, and Lille faltering slightly in the closing stages.
It is rather disingenuous of LOSC to complain about it afterwards. Unsurprisingly, the media has seized the opportunity to stir up debate and commentary. Yet the situation was straightforward and could have been resolved without all the fuss—leaving more room for the actual football. But that is part of the problem these days: the constant hunt for controversy. Whether it involves refereeing or anything else—though the former is a classic element of the “football circus”—you get opinions flying from every direction without people knowing, or taking into account, the actual details.
