St. Stephen under pressure after the derby incident against OL
Geoffroy-Guichard was the stage of an intense derby between the ASSE and the OL, won by the Greens on the score of 2-1. However, the victory could be tarnished by severe disciplinary sanctions, following a particularly serious attack on the referee.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday night, saw a projectile touching the referee in the head, causing the match to be interrupted for 45 minutes. Although the game has been able to resume, as in other similar cases in Ligue 1, it is likely to face significant disciplinary measures.
RMC Sport reports that the projectile was launched from the platform initially reserved for Lyon fans, which was marketed exceptionally by the ASSE following the ban on the movement of OL fans. This circumstance could make it more difficult to set up a partial closed session and weigh in the balance for an overall sanction of the stage.
In addition to closing stands, the ASSE could also face a withdrawal of points, possibly suspended, a catastrophic scenario for the survival of the Greens in Ligue 1. The victory against Lyon allowed them to return to the level of the barrage operator Le Havre, but losing one or more points at this crucial moment could prove fatal.
The example of OL, sanctioned by a point after the bottle jet on Dimitri Payet in 2021, is in the minds. Even if the game had been finally stopped, the case law could apply.
However, the reactivity of the Forezian club could play in its favour. Thanks to Geoffroy-Guichard’s 250 surveillance cameras, the alleged projectile jet was identified within minutes. The police arrested him after he left the stadium. The individual was placed in police custody and the ASSE immediately announced its intention to file a complaint and to deny him access to the stadium.
The disciplinary commission must look into the matter this Wednesday, and the proactive attitude of the ASSE could influence the severity of the sanction. The survival of the Greens in Ligue 1 is at stake, and each point counts in this struggle for maintenance.