Luis Enrique refused to criticize referee Francois Letexier for not sending off Monaco defender Wilfried Singo on Wednesday after a dangerous challenge landed Paris Saint-Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the face.
PSG came back from 2-1 down to win 4-2 in Monaco, but they had to replace Donnarumma in the 22nd minute after Singo’s studs-up challenge left the goalkeeper in the face with several fouls.
Singo was booked minutes earlier, but French media reported that the referee saw the contact as accidental rather than intentional and allowed him to stay on the field. Donnarumma, however, was unable to continue after receiving treatment, with reserve goalkeeper Matve Safonov in his place.
“The referee’s decision? I couldn’t do anything, I couldn’t see the action, but it’s always difficult when you see an action like that,” Luis Enrique told Bain Sports.
“Players don’t want to get hurt. It’s difficult to referee a match like this, I’m not talking about the referee’s job.
Medical update on Gianluigi Donnarumma. @waithttps://t.co/ZBLI9wzFu2
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) December 18, 2024
After the game, PSG confirmed that Donnarumma would undergo a medical on Thursday, leaving him in doubt for their Coupe de France tie against Lens on Sunday.
Despite trailing 2-1 in the second half, PSG bounced back with a goal from Goncalo Ramos and a brace from Ousmane Dembele to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 16 matches this season.
PSG entered the Christmas break top of the table with 40 points, 10 ahead of nearest rivals Marseille and Monaco.
“Objective achieved. It was a tough match, we weren’t equal at all times, they knew how to come back and take the lead, but I’m happy with the result,” added Luis Enrique.
