Marseille director of football Mehdi Benatia suspended for 3 months by French FA | OneFootball

According to a report from L’Équipe Olympique de Marseille director of football Mehdi Benatia has been handed a three-month suspension by the French FA’s disciplinary committee following incidents which occurred at the end of OM’s Coupe de France exit against Lille (1-1, 3-4 to LOSC on pens). Olivier Létang, club president of Lille, has been handed a one month suspension. Benatia has been given a three month suspension plus a three further months deferred. He was shown a red card by referee Clément Turpin for vehemently criticising the fourth official for not awarding a penalty to OM in the latter stages of the game when OM were trailing 1-0. The sentence is reportedly heavy owing to a suspension handed down by the Ligue de Football Professionel’s disciplinary committee for criticising referee Benoît Bastien following OM’s 3-2 dramatic win over Lyon back in September after the sending off of defender Leonardo Balerdi.Létang, on the other hand,  has received a one month suspension after descending from the stands at the end of normal time and grabbing the arm of the fourth official to indicate that added on time had been exceeded. Both Benatia and Létang may appeal against their current sanctions. GFFN | George Boxall