Esperance Calls for Investigation into Sousse Derby Penalty

Esperance Tunis has escalated its stance on the refereeing controversy following their match against Etoile du Sahel, demanding the National Refereeing Authority to open a serious and urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the penalty decision that sparked widespread objections within the club.

Esperance de Tunis has officially stated that their request is specifically due to the lack of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to further verify the accuracy of the officiating decision. They are urging a review of the match officials' performance and the video room referees, calling for necessary measures to prevent such situations from recurring.

The Tunisian club stressed that its actions are aimed at defending sports entitlement, ensuring equal opportunities, and maintaining the integrity of competition, while emphasizing the need for all parties to take responsibility.

At the same time, Esperance confirmed its respect for the independence of the refereeing body, stating that its position does not target any specific referee and does not imply doubt about their integrity. Instead, it aims to call for more clarity and accountability to ensure that refereeing errors do not affect match results and the course of the championship.

Esperance de Tunis has issued a warning to its players and staff about the importance of learning from last season's mistakes. The club's management emphasized that they cannot afford to repeat the errors that led to disappointing results. They are focused on building a stronger team and ensuring that everyone is aligned with the club's goals for the upcoming season.

The club indicated that its stance also stems from a desire to avoid repeating what it described as erroneous and impactful refereeing decisions it faced during last season, whether from on-field referees or those responsible for VAR.

Esperance is awaiting the outcome of its requests to the National Refereeing Authority, as the club insists on the necessity of providing conditions that ensure fairness and equal opportunities for all teams during the league competitions.