EST vs Stade Tunisien – EST’s Protest Over Refereeing Decisions
Espérance Sportive de Tunis (EST) expressed strong dissatisfaction with several refereeing decisions made during its match against Stade Tunisien (ST) on Saturday. The club claims that the most decisive moment of the game was ignored by the officials and the VAR system.
Key Points from EST’s Official Statement
| Issue | EST’s Claim | Desired Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty claim by Stade Tunisien | The focus was placed on ST’s request for a penalty, while a foul on EST striker Danho inside the box was not examined. | A penalty should have been awarded to EST. |
| Potential handball by an opponent | A play involving EST midfielder Yan Sasse featured a suspected handball by a defender in the penalty area. | The incident should have been reviewed, possibly resulting in a penalty. |
| Lack of VAR intervention | The video‑assistant referee (VAR) did not advise the central referee to review the “turning point” of the match. | VAR should have prompted a review of the clear‑cut incident. |
| Overall fairness | EST feels the most obvious phase of the game was neither revisited nor analysed, constituting a repeated infringement on its sporting results. | EST will continue to defend its legitimate rights through all legal and regulatory means. |
EST’s Main Argument
“We are surprised that the most evident phase of the match was not reviewed or analysed in detail, a moment that clearly warranted a decision in our favour.”
The club stresses that the ignored incident “opens the door to several interpretations,” including the possibility of awarding a penalty.
VAR’s Role Questioned
EST criticises the VAR system for not intervening to ask the on‑field referee to re‑examine the pivotal play. The club argues that this omission directly affected the match’s outcome.
EST’s Commitment
The Tunisian side vows to defend its legitimate rights by any legal or regulatory avenue, denouncing what it sees as repeated attacks on its sporting results.
Further Reading
Ligue 1 – 20th‑Round Update – EST vs ST (1‑0): The “Sang et Or” Trade
Published on 22 February 2026 by La Presse
Keywords: EST protest, refereeing controversy, VAR criticism, Danho foul, Yan Sasse handball, Tunisian Ligue 1, Stade Tunisien, football arbitration, sports justice
