NICE and Marseille could BOTH be docked points by Ligue 1 after the chaotic scenes brought Sunday’s derby to a premature end.
The league clash was stopped when Nice fans launched a bottle at Dimitri Payet, who lobbed it back into the stands and the rioting descended as home supporters made their way on to the pitch.
Following a huge melee which led to Payet bleeding and his team-mate Matteo Guendouzi getting strangle marks around his neck, the Marseille team refused to carry on after the 90-minute delay.
As the investigation and disciplinary hearings begin with both clubs dragged in for a meeting on Monday, Marca suggest point penalties are a possibility for both sides.
Nice would be slapped with the docking for the fan behaviour and attacks on Marseille players while the away side refused to follow the Ligue 1 order to return to the field to complete the match.
Among the other potential sanctions are a suspension of several years for Marseille coach Pablo Hernandez who punched a Nice fan to the ground and a number of matches banned for the likes of Alvaro Gonzalez, who threw a ball into the stands, and Jean-Clair Todibo.
It is thought Payet will escape punishment for his own bottle throw as he was the initial victim in the violence.
It has already been confirmed Nice’s South Stand – which holds the ultras – will be closed for their next four home matches as a safety measure, even before the rest of the decisions are finalised.
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In a move confirmed by the police, prefect Bernard Gonzalez said: “In view of the seriousness of the incidents that occurred, and without waiting for the sanctions to be decided by the professional football league (LFP), the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes has taken the following decisions this evening: closure of the Populaire Sud stand where the incidents occurred for the next four home matches.”
Anti-projectile fencing will also be installed at the front of the stand to prevent objects being thrown down on to the pitch again.
With regards to the outcome of the match, there are still three options available.
Nice were winning 1-0 at the time so could be given a 1-0 win, a 3-0 victory for either side is possible if Ligue 1 determine the other of being defaulted – although that is unlikely, especially for Marseille to be handed the win – or the match is replayed behind closed doors.
The AFP news agency also reported a 28-year-old man had been arrested and taken into custody suspected of attacking a Marseille player.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
