French international adds to referee insult storm

Marseille - French international Dmitri Payet has been caught on film insulting referees adding to a mounting storm over the treatment of match officials after Zlatan Ibrahimovic's tirade this weekend.

The Marseille midfielder vented his anger at the referee after his title challenging side were held to a 0-0 draw by leaders Lyon in Sunday's match when Payet's side had a goal disallowed.

"We were screwed, arsehole!" Payet is heard shouting at the referee's dressing room in a film broadcast by Canal Plus Sport late Monday.

The referee and his assistants are seen returning to their room moments later surrounded by Marseille coaching staff protesting that "the ball was over by a metre."

Marseille thought they had a goal when Lucas Ocampos bundled Payet's 83rd-minute corner towards the line. But referee Benoit Bastien and his assistants ruled that the ball did not cross.

After the game, Payet told reporters that Marseille "lost two points because of a refereeing decision" and that the team was "completely disgusted".

"We did what we had to. We feel we are being punished in the race for the title and we are powerless. You can say all you want, (but) if you say too much you risk the disciplinary commission."

French football is still abuzz with discussion over Paris Saint-Germain star Zlatan Ibrahimovic's outburst Sunday against a referee after his side lost to Bordeaux. He also called the match official an "arsehole" and said that France was "a shit country."

Despite his apologies the Ibrahimovic comments brought widespread protests from the referees' union.

Even Prime Minister Manuel Valls said he was "shocked". Far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen said Ibrahimovic should leave France.

The comments by the 33-year-old Swedish international will be considered by a league disciplinary committee on Thursday.