Re-elected in December 2024 as head of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo has decided to set up a meeting with the press after each Comex (executive committee) in order to communicate on the FFF’s current files. The first took place this Thursday at the federation’s headquarters. Asked about the stormy end of the match between OM and Lille on Tuesday evening in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, the president of the FFF was harsh towards certain leaders of the two clubs. OM sports director Medhi Benatia and Lille president Olivier Létang are summoned this Thursday before the disciplinary committee following their behavior.
“It’s not a good image that is given. Neither from the leaders, nor from football. In a difficult period such as we are going through, everyone must be exemplary in their behavior, scolds Phillipe Diallo. There are procedures so I do not want to go any further in my assessment but we expect exemplary behavior from our leaders with the aim of restoring the image of professional football which is one of the conditions for its economic rebound. »
If the meeting was lively on Tuesday evening on the pitch with good goals and suspense, the end of the match was detestable at the edge of the pitch after the Phocéens equalized by Luis Henrique at the end of added time. Olivier Létang grabbed the 4th referee in a manly manner. After exulting at the time of the equalizing goal, Mehdi Benatia brought Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi back into his zone by trying to calm him down before then returning to the 4th referee, pointing at him and saying: “Say well to Mr. Turpin that there was a penalty on Rowe. Tell him anyway. » For the 4th referee, this movement of the finger was a threat which led Clément Turpin to issue him a red card.
