Pablo Fernandez, Sampaoli's sanguine physical trainer, returns to Allianz Riviera this Friday (9 p.m., 16th day of Ligue 1) for the Nice-Rennes match three years after his punch to a supporter.
1230 days later, Pablo Fernandez returns to the Allianz Riviera. The faithful physical trainer of Jorge Sampaoli, currently in Rennes who travels to Nice on Friday evening (9 p.m., 16th day of L1), had punched a Nice supporter in the melee of violence during the infamous OGCN-OM of August 22, 2021.
Fired from Flamengo in 2023 for hitting one of its players
75th minute, Dimitri Payet prepares to take a corner at the foot of the Populaire Sud stand. The Marseille number 10 receives projectiles, including a bottle which he throws back into the stand. The pitch is then invaded by supporters in total confusion. In the middle of the melee, Pablo Fernandez violently punched a Gym supporter. The OM physical trainer, now stationed in Rennes since November, had been most heavily suspended by the LFP disciplinary committee, from the sidelines, from the referees' locker room and from all official functions until the 30th. June 2022. More than three years later, he will make his return to the Allianz Riviera.
Still alongside Jorge Sampaoli during their last experience at Flamengo, Pablo Fernandez distinguished himself in July 2023 by hitting one of his own players, the Brazilian striker Pedro. Fernandez had criticized him for returning to sit on the sidelines and stopping his warm-up before the end of the match. The ebullient physical trainer recognized “an unforgivable gesture” which led to his dismissal.
The 50-year-old Argentinian has also had other strokes in his career. During his experiences in La Liga, he notably received a three-match suspension for attacking an assistant referee too vehemently in 2016. The following year, he threatened an opposing player and caused a scuffle, which why he received a two-match suspension this time.
