Brunel blasts Barnes
October 20 2008
The referees are the centre of debate in France after Round Two of the Heineken Cup - most of all in Perpignan after the Catalans were issued three yellow cards in Wales.
After the first few rounds of the Top 14 were marked by the introduction of the ELVs and some questionable refereeing, the opening rounds of the European Cup have left some French clubs with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Top of the list of those feeling hard done-by after the second weekend of action are Perpignan, who will rue three yellow cards and a disallowed try in their 15-9 defeat to the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium.
Following on from Biarritz, who were complaining to anyone and everyone who would listen after Round One, the Catalans had a few bones to pick with Wayne Barnes.
"We are frustrated because we made an effort concerning the new rules and playing on the ground, but obviously we didn't understand everything because we find ourselves with three yellow cards and at least fifteen penalties against us," Perpignan boss Jacques Brunel told the French press.
"We're witnessing one-way refereeing. There was not the same treatment for both sides. It's frustrating to see us lose a match that we could have won. I'm not saying we didn't make any errors, but I found that the referee blew us up too much.
"I can also remember some Welsh obstruction that was not penalised. What bothers me the most, and I want to have another look at it, is if there were forward passes between Candelon and Guiry and between Guiry and Vaki. In the last case, what is most decisive is that victory was on the line."
Jumping on the bandwagon are Stade Français, who were not best pleased with Peter Allen's interpretation of the laws, despite their 37-15 home win over the Scarlets.
"Mr. Allen had his interpretation," said Stade Français forwards coach, Fabrice Landreau.
"It's his way of doing things. Last week, Mr Owens did not have the same vision. It's going to take time to digest the new rules, and everyone is concerned. We'll see things more clearly during the Six Nations.
"Interpretations are going to become more uniform bit by bit. But for the moment, it's true that it's perturbing us. The French referees are a little stricter on certain areas.
"The important thing is that all this didn't disadvantage Stade Français, contrary to what Biarritz experienced at Gloucester."