Benatia and Letang, French football is preparing a revolution
The complete chaos that reigns on the sidelines in Ligue 1 is causing far too many issues and setting a terrible example for amateur football. The Ethics Council is now stepping in to address the matter.
The touchlines in Ligue 1 are increasingly becoming a battleground, and the situation is no different in the Coupe de France, as seen during the incidents in the match between OM and Lille. Tension was already high, but the goal scored by Luis Henrique in the dying seconds sparked numerous outbursts. The problem, as highlighted by the Ethics Council, is that the tolerance shown by match officials is far too lenient, leading to unmanageable situations. It has become common for substitutes to enter the pitch to celebrate goals, which is strictly prohibited, and the rules clearly state that a yellow card should be issued for each intrusion. Additionally, the number of people on the sidelines often far exceeds the allowed quota of 19 individuals, which is already substantial. While 9 substitutes and 10 staff members are permitted in the top flight, during the OM-Lille match, the constant comings and goings made it impossible for officials to keep track. Moreover, club security is doing little to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the pitch.
In addition to this, as was the case on Tuesday evening, Mehdi Benatia and Olivier Letang did not hesitate to confront the referee vehemently, with the LOSC president even grabbing the referee’s arm. However, once again, neither a sporting director nor a president has any place on the sidelines according to the regulations. The dressing room and the tunnel are permitted areas for them, but the rest should be in the stands. They do not possess the required medical or coaching qualifications to be on the bench and are not part of the official matchday squad. Exceptions have always been made—for instance, the Nicollin family has been sitting on the bench for decades—but according to Patrick Anton, the president of the Ethics Council, it’s time to put an end to this.
“These are individuals who are not listed on the match sheet and have no business being in that area. The coach and other personnel on the bench must remain within the confines of the technical area. I will write to presidents Diallo and Labrune to ensure this issue is addressed,” lamented Patrick Anton in L’Équipe. He emphasized that the image being projected to young players, amateurs, and referees is disastrous. If this issue of excessive personnel on the sidelines is not clearly addressed and resolved, there is a high likelihood that such incidents will become commonplace, as they already are in many Ligue 1 matches.
