The Ligue 1 fixture between Marseille and Lyon had to be suspended after Dimitri Payet was hit by a bottle thrown by a fan. The player looked to be visibly hurt, after he was attacked while taking a corner kick.
As a result of the actions of the spectator, Lyon have been handed a one point deduction. They have also been instructed to replay the match behind closed doors, with no fans in attendance.
‘Any act of violence against a player, especially a major player, exposes the club responsible to a loss of points,’ Sebastien Deneux, the president of the LFP disciplinary committee, said.
‘The committee also took into consideration the actions of the Lyon club immediately after the incidents.
‘I would like to remind you that the Disciplinary Committee cannot take sanctions against fans directly, but is there to judge the responsibility of the clubs.’
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has been critical of the decision to abandon the game at that point.
‘The referee first said that the game could restart and he changed his mind after the violent reaction of Marseille, notably that of their coach,’ he said.
‘I believe the conditions were met to resume the game after the individual had been arrested. He is in police custody.’
The spectator in question has been arrested and has been given a six-month suspended jail sentence. He could also be banned from the Groupama Stadium for five years. Lyon, as a result of their deduction, are 12th with 22 points.
