Sent off for throwing the ball at Lille's Gabriel Gudmundsson at the end of the 32nd final of the Coupe de France, FC Rouen midfielder Mustapha Benzia received a seven-match suspension. A disproportionate and too severe sanction for the National club and its president, Iwan Postel who rails against the FFF.
FC Rouen angry. A week ago, the National club was eliminated from the Coupe de France after a logical defeat against Lille (0-1) in the 32nd final. The end of the match was marked by the expulsion of Mustapha Benzia. The Rouan midfielder, brother of ex-Lille player Yassine Benzia, made a bad-tempered gesture by throwing the ball at Gabriel Gudmundsson. If the Swede added a lot, writhing in pain on the pitch, the referee Stéphanie Frappart did not hesitate for a single second and showed the red card.
Anecdotal? Not in view of the sanctions revealed Thursday by the FFF disciplinary committee Thursday evening. Mustapha Benzia received a seven-match suspension. Immediately, the club ranked 9th in National regretted “the magnitude of the decision” and announced its intention to appeal this decision.
Gudmundsson who “clearly provoked him”
The president of FC Rouen does not mince his words. He is very angry with the Federation. “The referee's report was not so bad it seems because there was no reaction after the red card, declared Iwan Postel in Paris-Normandie. The Lille player had nothing while at the camera clearly sees him provoking Benzia, and he says some not very friendly words to her.”
And the Norman boss blurted out: “It’s a shame, I have nothing else to add!” FC Rouen will start the year 2025 with the reception of Le Mans (10th) as part of the 16th day of National. Without Mustapha Benzia.
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