Things are at a standstill between Olivier Létang and the French football authorities. The LOSC president, who also heads the Ligue 1 board, is in the sights of the LFP's disciplinary committee after his violent criticism of the refereeing during the Lille-OL match (0-1) at the end of September. The outcome: a possible suspension of several matches.
"It's a parody and a scam."
The tone rose that evening at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium. Furious at the refereeing decisions, Olivier Létang reportedly shouted at the officials at halftime: "How long will this last? It's a travesty and it's a scam! It's a disgrace!" These words were reportedly recorded in the match delegates' report, which was sent to the LFP.
And the manager didn't stop there. After the match, he continued his attacks, saying that "French refereeing is catastrophic" and that "one day, there will be major problems in the stadiums." These comments were deemed "vehement" by the National Ethics Council, which referred the matter to the disciplinary committee.
A leader accustomed to hotheadedness
This isn't Olivier Létang's first verbal outburst. The former president of PSG and Rennes has often shown his explosive temper when he feels his club has been wronged. But this time, the LFP may well take action. According to several sources, the scale applicable for "hurtful remarks" provides for a suspension of up to three matches, part of which is suspended.
Ironically, it is at a time when Létang is being hailed for his moves in the transfer market, notably the free arrival of Congolese defender Chancel Mbemba, that the LOSC boss risks being sidelined... not by injury, but by sanction.
