French FA review Marseille football director Medhi Benatia’s suspension appeal

After some of French football’s latest controversies surrounding the conduct of managers, players, and officials with referees – the events of January in the Coupe de France between Marseille and Lille seem a far cry. Yet according to a report from La Provence, today Olympique de Marseille Director of Football Medhi Benatia’s three-month long suspension appeal is being reviewed by the French Football Federation. 

Benatia, who is considered an important part of Roberto De Zerbi’s ‘inner family’ at the club, was shown a red card after claiming virulently for a penalty to fourth official Jérémy Stinat. The Moroccan was since handed a three month suspension, of which he has already served one month.

Lille president Olivier Létang was also involved in an altercation with Stinat, grabbing the fourth official’s arm whilst complaining about time management – he received one month suspension. Marseille then felt aggrieved for the different lengths of time of suspension, and had denounced what they perceived as “inconsistency and relentless targeting of its director of football, in a club statement.

This was all before the incidents in Auxerre which saw a 15-match suspension for Marseille president Pablo Longoria after his outburst against refereeing and accusations of corruption. Institutional advisor Fabrizio Ravanelli received a three-match ban after a more watered-down criticism of Ligue 1 refereeing. This was in the context over the same Jérémy Stinat involved in the OM-Lille controversy sending off Marseille defender Derek Cornelius against Auxerre.

GFFN | George Boxall

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