Ligue 1 referee suspended for kicking a player
What's the story
Have you ever heard of a football referee kicking a player? If not, then meet referee Tony Chapron, who not only kicked Nantes player, Diego Carlos in Sunday's French Ligue 1 game against Paris St Germain but also sent him off the field by showing him a red card. Here's more about this bizarre incident.
Scandalous
Kicked and sent out of match
The incident occurred during stoppage time when Carlos bumped into the back of referee Chapron, who then fell over. Chapron did not react well to the incident and swung a leg at the footballer. Finally, Chapron landed a kick on the shin of the defender who chose not to react against the agitated referee.
Disciplinary action
Referee suspended for kicking footballer
The drama did not end there, Chapron brandished a second yellow card against the player and hence he was forced to leave the field. The incident did not go well with the French Football Federation, which has decided to indefinitely suspend the referee until further notice. Chapron will also be summoned before the league's disciplinary committee.
Quote
Statement by French Football Federation
"The technical direction of refereeing and the federal commission of refereeing have decided on the withdrawal of Tony Chapron, who had been appointed for Wednesday's Ligue 1 game between Angers and Troyes, until further notice"
Shameful
PSG beat Nantes 1-0
Nantes chairman, Waldemar Kita was left unimpressed by the incident and said the referee should be banned for six months for the "scandalous" act. Nantes manager, Claudio Ranieri had no comments against the referee but lamented the red card to his player. PSG went on to win the fixture 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Argentine forward Angel Di Maria.