Photo: Bildbyrån
Felix Lebrun was dished out in the singles tournament but still got to play in the EC final in doubles. Once there, he and his brother Alexis won against Truls Möregårdh and Anton Källberg.
Sharp criticism is now directed at Lebrun even being allowed to participate.
– I have spoken to some during this tournament that there have been slightly different rules for some other players, says Radiosport’s expert Ulf Tickan Carlsson.
There was no Swedish gold in the EC doubles final in Linz, Austria. Truls Möregårdh and Anton Källberg was beaten by the French brothers Alexis and Felix Lebrun with a clear 0-3 in the set. That the latter brother was even allowed to participate surprises many, as he was disqualified from the singles tournament when he received a red card.
“Never experienced that before”
The announcement that Felix Lebrun was allowed to play in the doubles final came late on Saturday evening after a long judges’ meeting was held. There they discussed whether Lebrun – who received a red card when he kicked away his racket in anger when he lost in the singles tournament – should be counted as dished also in the doubles against Sweden.
Had the judges made the decision that Felix Lebrun would be forced home, France would have had to leave the WO and Sweden would then have won the EC gold. Now it didn’t turn out that way, which has been criticized by many. Among other things by Radiosport’s expert Ulf Tikan Carlsson.
He refers to a similar case last year, at the EC in teams, where the Dane Anders Lind was disqualified in the quarterfinals of a team match for the same event. Therefore, this event should be decided in the same way, he thinks.
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– I spoke to the chief referee who justified in that way that he will be disqualified from the singles tournament altogether. Won’t be participating, won’t get any ranking points or anything but will get to play on in the doubles tournament then. They mean that there are different classes then and refer to the fact that he is disheveled in one class but okay in another class. This decision is unique in some ways. It has never happened before. I have never been part of it before, he tells Radiosporten.
Felt overrun
Ulf Tickan Carlsson has a clear idea of how the refereeing team should act – and they must change their way of thinking in the future. Otherwise, there is a risk that more people will be upset because similar incidents are judged differently.
– It is difficult to speculate or have an opinion about because it has never happened. They probably need to look at this and make clear rules for what applies going forward so the players know what applies. I’ve talked to a few during this tournament that there have been slightly different rules for some other players. They probably have to sit down and make it clear, he says.
Truls Möregårdh and Anton Källberg chose to speak about the purely sporting after the loss in the final. They felt overrun and were clearly disappointed.
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– It has been a hard day, but a fun and long week. They can play this well and when they do, it’s incredibly difficult to beat them, says Truls, who thus left the EC with silver in doubles and bronze in the singles tournament.
This is strange to say the least, that the judges judged in that way, which apparently they have never done before.
Too bad it didn’t work out for you, Truls and Anton. You did your best and fought – you can’t ask for more than that. Keep it up!
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