Gathered this Wednesday, the LFP disciplinary committee did not do in half measures. The president of Olympique de Marseille is suspended for 15 games after his incendiary remarks at the end of the defeat against Auxerre (3-0). His accusations of “total corruption” in French football, pronounced under anger, had caused a shock wave, especially among the referees, who decided to file a complaint collectively.
Despite its public apologies earlier this week, the League estimated that the gravity of its statements deserved a heavy sanction. Longoria will therefore be deprived of a bench, cloakroom and access to officials during this period.
An exemplary sanction and a warning for OM
OM, which feared a possible sporting sanction as a withdrawal of points, finally came out without consequences on the ranking. However, this suspension weakens the influence of its president, who will no longer be able to accompany his team on match days.
Longoria had to lose a smile by learning the sanction.
In parallel, Fabrizio Ravanelli, close to Longoria and also very critical of arbitration, received 3 suspension games. A clear warning for those who doubt the integrity of the arbitral body.
A blow for Longoria and Marseille
While OM is experiencing a rather attractive season, this affair generates a crisis that we would have gone internally. Deprived of its president for several weeks, the Marseille club will have to manage this storm behind the scenes and try to stay focused on its sporting goals.
This decision marks a turning point: the LFP sends a strong message against any public attack aimed at French arbitration. It remains to be seen if Pablo Longoria will accept this sanction or decide to challenge it on appeal.
