Lille President Olivier Létang Receives Suspension for Criticism of French Refereeing
Lille OSC president Olivier Létang has been handed a one-match touchline ban and a two-match suspended ban from all official functions following his outspoken criticism of French refereeing after Lille’s 0-1 defeat to Olympique Lyonnais on September 28th. The decision was made by the LFP disciplinary committee after summoning Létang to address his comments.
The sanction, while minimal, underscores the league’s sensitivity to public attacks on its officiating. Létang, who also serves as the president of the Ligue 1 college, will begin serving the ban next Tuesday. The case highlights the ongoing tension between clubs and referees in French football and sets a precedent for future conduct, possibly influencing how clubs voice concerns about officiating decisions.
According to L’Équipe,Létang leveled a series of strong accusations against french referees,including questioning the long-term viability of the current system with remarks like “Will it last long?” and labeling it “a parody and a scam.” He further stated, “It’s a shame” and “French arbitration is catastrophic,” adding, “It’s the same every weekend. They will set the stadium on fire and one day there will be big problems.”
Létang attempted to defend his statements before the disciplinary committee, claiming the comments were not entirely his own. However, the committee rejected this defence, though his relatively subdued demeanor during the hearing reportedly contributed to a less severe penalty.
