Thibaut Simon, Media365, published on Sunday January 5, 2025 at 10:59 a.m.
Montpellier experienced a hectic week internally and on the pitch. During the defeat in Lyon, Gones supporters displayed a banner to criticize the management of Laurent Nicollin's club.
Montpellier's difficult season continues. If coach Jean-Louis Gasset thinks that his team deserved at least a draw in Lyon, the MHSC still lost after an own goal from Fayad in stoppage time. A cruel defeat and a sixth match without victory in all competitions. Red lantern with nine points, the Hérault club had a very complicated week. Laurent Nicollin spoke before the group left for the Rhône and sanctioned Téji Savanier after his comments in the Coupe de France. Captain's armband removed and a financial sanction of 60,000 euros to be donated to an association supported by the club. Starting at the start of the match, Savanier did not prevent his team's defeat. In the stands of Groupama Stadium, in addition to the banner displayed by MHSC supporters; “La Paillade is us!”, Lyon supporters criticized the Montpellier president.
A terrible banner for Nicollin
For the first of 2025 at home, Lyon supporters stood out. Good at first, since they paid tribute to Lisandro Lopez, recently retired and spent with the club between 2009 and 2013, as well as to Anthony Lopes. The former OL goalkeeper signed for FC Nantes this winter after 15 seasons at the club. Then, it was with a slightly less positive banner that the supporters continued. In the north turn of Groupama Stadium, we could see a banner against the president of the MHSC, “Laurent Nicollin, unworthy heir of his father”. Designated by some as the person responsible for the club's poor situation, Nicollin became president in 2017 after the death of his father. As the club celebrates its 50th anniversary this season, a new affair could put pressure on the leaders. The club would discuss according to information from The Team with Wissam Ben Yedder, without a club since this summer and targeted by legal cases, the latest of which for “psychological violence”.
