“I have trouble with my football” writes the football club of Nontron in the Dordogne. In a long message this Monday 30, AS Nontron-Saint-Pardoux denounces the decision of the appeal committee of the Aquitaine league. She decided last week to reduce the penalties for four Périgueux football players tried by the Dordogne district disciplinary committee after threatening and shoving a referee. Some were banned from playing football for several years. Following the decision of the appeal committee, they are now suspended for ten games.
The gendarmes intervened during the meeting
On April 10, the gendarmes intervened during the meeting of the second district division. The referee had been threatened and insulted by players. In the 86th minute of the match, three Périgueux football players had threatened and insulted the referee who had just given them a new red card according to the gendarmes. They had also attacked him physically but no blow had been struck.
“Schemes and maneuvers in the back of the shop”
AS Nontron-Saint-Pardoux does not understand this decision and points fingers in its Facebook post “back room tricks and maneuvers reserved for politics”. According to the Périgord club, this decision is a blow to all of football “It hurts all the football families together”. At the opposing club, the president of the Périgueux football club finds the reduction of sanctions justified but he admits to himself surprised by the gap between the two sanctions which is significant.
The appeal committee justifies its decision
For its part, the appeal committee of the Aquitaine league maintains and assumes its decision. She explains that the referee had first written in his report that he had been pushed around when there was no physical violence, only verbal threats. The president of the National Union of Football Referees in the Dordogne, Patrick Buffière also denounces the decision of the appeal committee. He calls on the League to restructure its appeal committee or to change its members.