Olympique de Marseille has expressed strong opposition to the three-match ban imposed on their sporting director, Medhi Benatia. The club emphasized that the former Morocco international did not threaten or insult any match officials during the incident that led to the suspension.
Reports from French media indicated that Benatia confronted the referees at halftime of Marseille’s 3-2 victory over Olympique Lyonnais on September 22, specifically regarding a red card issued to Leonardo Balerdi early in the match.
On Wednesday, the French football league's governing body (LFP) announced that Benatia would face a three-match suspension and an additional three-match suspended ban from the bench, as well as from the referees' locker room and all official functions. This decision has sparked significant controversy, as Marseille believes the punishment is excessively harsh given the circumstances.
In their official statement released on Wednesday, Marseille acknowledged the LFP's ruling but reiterated their disagreement. The club deemed the treatment of Benatia as “totally disproportionate” and highlighted that he had not engaged in any behavior that could be deemed insulting or threatening towards the referees.
Marseille's statement further pointed out the lack of consistency in the disciplinary measures, suggesting that the decision appeared incoherent compared to similar cases in the past. As they prepare to face bottom-placed Angers on Friday, Marseille remains focused on their performance, currently holding third place in the league standings.
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