The Disciplinary Committee of the Professional Football League (LFP) has delivered its verdict, and it is heavy. After physically attacking Sylvain Armand, Losc’s sports coordinator, during the meeting between the Lille club and FC Metz last Friday, Frédéric Antonetti was suspended for ten games, three of which were suspended. A decision rendered by the LFP, Wednesday, February 23.
After his bloodshed, Antonetti complained at a press conference in front of journalists, of the presence of Sylvain Armand but also of Olivier Létang, the president of Lille, close to his technical area. “Do you believe that the president of Lille and his sports coordinator should be two meters from me in the area to put pressure on the fourth referee?“, had explained the coach of Metz.
Excluded by the referee from the meeting for his behavior, Antonetti had therefore defended himself after the match, arguing that the Lille leaders were frustrated because of the result (0-0). “I don’t respect people who don’t respect me. Sylvain Armand, I pushed him away. There are no regrets to have when you are attacked“, he had explained to the microphone of Prime Video.
7 – There have been 7 red cards received by coaches in Ligue 1 this season, including 3 against that of Metz Frédéric Antonetti (v Reims in August, v Paris in September and v Lille this evening). Storm. #LOSCFCM pic.twitter.com/Pcev406Mqq
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) February 18, 2022
The LFP disciplinary committee, which met on Wednesday, therefore decided to take action following Antonetti’s third exclusion this season, after those against Reims in August and Paris Saint-Germain in September. She also decided to sanction Létang and Armand, also involved in the altercation, with two and four game suspensions.
FC Metz, 19th in the standings 13 days from the end of the championship, will therefore have to do without their coach during meetings in the coming weeks. Antonetti will return on Matchday 33 in April against Lorient. In the meantime, he will give his instructions to his assistants from the stands.