Author of a slap on one of the Lensois coach’s assistants during the match between RC Lens and OM on Saturday, the OM leader risks a heavy suspension. The LFP Disciplinary Committee meets on Wednesday to decide on his case.
Dimitri Payet’s playing time, already very low, is in danger of shrinking again, not to say disappearing at the end of the season. Because before showing off on the stadium lawn Bollaert, Saturday May 6, by scoring the only Olympian goal in the 2-1 defeat of Olympique de Marseille in Lens, the Reunionese showed up for another less sporting fact. France 3 Provence-Alpes returns to this incident which could cost the player and his club dearly in the final sprint for the Champions League.
- What happened during this Lens-OM?
In this duel at the top, the tension was palpable on the lawn. After a shot by defender Facundo Medina towards the Marseille bench, the Olympians came from the sidelines and the two teams shouted at each other before coming to blows. And on images filmed by Prime Video, official broadcaster of Ligue 1, we can see the former Marseille captain, replacing at this time of the match, slap Yannick Cahuzac, one of the assistants of Franck Haise, coach of the RC Lens.
This slap did not go unnoticed by the Sang et Or coach. Once the scuffle was over, Franck Haise demanded a red card for Dimitri Payet from the match referee Clément Turpin. The latter did not sanction the playmaker then on the bench unlike Yannick Cahuzac and OM physical trainer Gilles Marambaud.
- How did the LFP react?
The Disciplinary Committee of the LFP (Professional Football League) was warned on Monday of the gesture of humor of number 10. It must first find out about the reports written by the officials of the meeting and see if they whether or not they mention this slap.
But this kind of case is often seized by the LFP. Besides, if she follows the disciplinary regulations of the FFF, also valid in Ligue 1, this fact falls under article 13 “Aact of brutality / blow“. This point of the regulations defines “an action by which a person harms, by any means whatsoever, the physical integrity of another”.
- What is Dimitri Payet risking?
According to the scale indicated by the FFF, Dimitri Payet risks up to seven matches of suspension because it is an act committed “off game action“. In fact, he risks being deprived between four and five games. As a reminder, in 2018, Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes received a 5-game suspension at the end of all the procedures (first instance and appeal ) for a similar gesture on OM manager Oualid Baaloul.
In any case, the decision to be made this Wednesday, May 10 by the LFP risks putting ddefinitively end to the season of Dimitri Payet. Because there are only 4 championship days left to play for the 20 Ligue 1 clubs.
A blow for OM, because the latter recently signed two good entries against Auxerre and Lens.