Lille president Olivier Létang has been suspended until March 31 for his behavior towards the referee of the match against Rennes on January 3, the Professional Football League announced on Wednesday. The suspension is “firm before, during and after the match from access to the sidelines, to the officials’ locker rooms and to all official functions,” the disciplinary committee specified in a press release.
The sanction takes effect on January 20, the manager is not suspended for Losc’s trip to the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain on Friday.
During the home defeat against the Bretons in the match of the 17th day of Ligue 1, the manager sharply questioned the referee Éric Wattellier at half-time, furious at the exclusion in the 13th minute of Brazilian defender Alexsandro for a foul on a player who was heading towards goal.
Bruno Genesio also sanctioned
“You know what you did,” Olivier Létang said to Éric Wattellier, the referee of the match, repeating the sentence three times. Before continuing: “It’s a shame! It’s a scandal! I can’t believe it! You can’t even speak calmly! »
His coach Bruno Genesio was also suspended for one match and one match suspended for his behavior that evening, added the disciplinary committee. The technician notably refused to participate in post-match media activities.
At half-time, the Lyonnais had to be held back by several players as he advanced towards the man with the whistle. Genesio had already strongly criticized the refereeing of the same Wattellier after the derby lost in Lens (3-0) earlier in the season.
Olivier Létang already pinned this season
A repeat offender, the president of Losc had already received a one-match suspension plus two suspended sentences in October for his criticism. “Every weekend we have problems with the refereeing,” he said after a home defeat against Lyon (1-0) on September 28.
Also president of the Ligue 1 college, Létang was sanctioned this season by UEFA for criticism against the referee of the match lost against PAOK Salonika (4-3) at the Pierre Mauroy stadium. For a penalty not whistled in favor of his team, he complained in English to the Montenegrin referee Nikola Dabanovic at half-time.
“I have already written to Mr. Ceferin (the president of UEFA), what happened this evening is incredible,” said the leader in the corridor, comments captured by the cameras of the broadcaster Canal +.
