The president of Lille Olympique Sporting Club (LOSC), Olivier Létang, was suspended until March 31 for his behavior towards the referee who officiated during the match against Stade Rennais on January 3 (0-2 defeat), the Professional Football League (LFP) announced on Wednesday January 14.
The suspension is “closes access to the sidelines, the officials’ locker rooms and all official functions before, during and after the match”specified the LFP disciplinary committee in a press release. The sanction will take effect on January 20; the Lilois leader is therefore not suspended for LOSC’s trip to the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain on Friday.
During the home defeat against the Bretons, a meeting of the 17e day of Ligue 1, Olivier Létang had sharply questioned the referee Eric Wattellier at half-time, furious at the exclusion from the 13e minute by Brazilian defender Alexsandro for a foul on a player who was heading towards goal. “You know what you did, it’s a shame, a scandal”had launched the Lille president.
“Every weekend, we have problems with the refereeing”
LOSC coach Bruno Genesio was also suspended – two matches, one of which was suspended – for his behavior that evening, added the LFP disciplinary committee. The technician notably refused to participate in post-match media activities. At half-time, he had to be held back by several players as he advanced towards the man with the whistle. Mr. Genesio had already strongly criticized the refereeing of the same Eric Wattellier after the derby lost in Lens (0-3) earlier in the season.
A repeat offender, the president of LOSC had already received a one-match suspension plus two suspended sentences in October 2025 for his criticism. “Every weekend we have problems with the refereeing”he said after a home defeat against Lyon (0-1) on September 28.
Also president of the Ligue 1 college, Mr. Létang, was sanctioned this season by UEFA (the European football federation) for criticism of the referee of the match lost against PAOK Salonika (3-4) at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium. For a penalty not called in favor of his team, he complained in English to the Montenegrin man in black Nikola Dabanovic at half-time. “I have already written to Mr. [Aleksander] Ceferin [président de l’UEFA] ; what happened this evening is incredible”had then launched the leader in the corridor, comments captured by the cameras of the broadcaster Canal+.
