The game was abandoned after Payet was hit with a bottle
Lyon have been hit with a one-point deduction by Ligue 1 and ordered to play a match behind closed doors after Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet was hit by a bottle thrown from the stands last month, as per RFI.
The fiery contest between the two clubs quickly descended into chaos when Frenchman Payet was struck by a projectile from Lyon’s supporters.
The former West Ham man was getting ready to take a corner in front of the home fans at the Groupama Stadium when he was hit by an object launched onto the pitch.
Payet appeared hurt and fell to the floor after clutching his head in his hands, before he got back to his feet to throw the bottles back into the crowd.
The incident – which led to the game being abandoned – has seen Lyon hit with a heavy price after the French League (LFP) confirmed that they would be deducted a point and would be required to play a game behind closed doors.
LFP, who deal with disciplinary proceedings, labelled the incident a ‘cowardly attack’, with Lyon claiming that it was an ‘isolated act’.
Sebastien Deneux, the president of the LFP disciplinary committee, said: “Any act of violence against a player, especially a major player, exposes the club responsible to a loss of points.
“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.”
🔴 The LFP rules that the Lyon-Marseille match abandoned on November 21 will be replayed again at Lyon behind closed doors.
Lyon also hit with a one point deduction after Dimitri Payet was hit by a bottle from the stands pic.twitter.com/OEbpwtj8Gm
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 8, 2021
The fan who threw the bottle at Payet has been given a suspended six-month jail sentence and also faces the potential of being banned from the Groupama Stadium for five years.
At the time of the incident, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas was critical of the decision to abandon the game.
“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.”
In contrast, Marseille president Pablo Longoria claimed that Payet was ‘psychologically affected’ by the incident, explaining that the club had asked Buquet to check on their players before potentially resuming the match.
He added: “We asked him to check on our players’ psychological state. He did not wish to go and see the players.”
Marseille currently find themselves in third position in Ligue 1, whereas Lyon are struggling to find consistency and occupy 12th place.
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