Molinari blames referee

Metz chairman Carlo Molinari was unhappy with the referee after the defeat to Rennes.

Metz chairman Carlo Molinari has slammed the referee who denied his team a penalty and sent off defender Mehdi Meniri.

The relegation favourites currently sit at the foot of Ligue 1 and look doomed in their bid for survival after losing 1-0 to Rennes.

It was a hard defeat to take for Molinari after feeling that his side were denied an equaliser from a referee who had officiated over another of Metz's controversial encounters.

"Beyond the disappointment of losing, we had a nightmarish referee. Just like our loss to Strasbourg, the referee Mr Piccirillo sent off Mehdi Meniri," said Molinari.

"At Strasbourg, he gave a penalty against us that was never a penalty, and this time he didn't give us a penalty that would have allowed us to equalise.

Even though Metz's league position does not make good reading, Molinari is still hopeful the club can survive.

"Even if we need a miracle, a win next week at Ajaccio would give us hope, if we are lucky enough not to get Mr Piccirillo again."