LYON: Olympique Lyon have offered to replay their women’s French Cup semi-final against Montpellier after going through on penalties thanks to a refereeing mistake, they said yesterday.
Twice women’s Champions League winners Lyon won 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after the referee had ruled out Montpellier’s final attempt in the shootout.
However, TV replays showed the ball had crossed the line after hitting the post and bouncing against the keeper’s arm.
“Olympique Lyon confirm they have offered Montpellier a replay of their French Cup semi-final... (for reasons of) fair-play and taking into account the good relationship between the clubs,” they said in a statement.
“They (the women’s team) have done it like Arsenal and their coach Arsene Wenger did in 1999,” Lyon added, referring to an FA Cup fifth round game against Sheffield United at Highbury. Wenger offered to replay a game Arsenal won 2-1 having scored the second goal after the ball was put into touch by United so one of their players could be treated for an injury. Arsenal’s Nigeria forward Kanu, unaware a United player needed attention, received the ball from the resulting throw-in, broke down the right and squared for Marc Overmars to score.Reuters
