OM – De Zerbi suspended: one match ban, one suspended, and a Ligue that keeps looking ridiculous

A victory tainted by a sending-off

On Monday night, the Vélodrome finally roared to the rhythm of an Olympian victory over PSG, the first at home in 14 years. But the celebration was slightly marred in stoppage time: Roberto De Zerbi, fiery and uncompromising as always, exploded in anger after a foul by Achraf Hakimi on Robinio Vaz in front of the Marseille bench.

Referee Jérôme Brisard showed him a yellow card, immediately followed by a red for what was deemed excessive dissent. The Italian finished the match in the stands, leaving his staff to manage the final minutes of a historic win.

The commission’s decision

Meeting on Wednesday night, the LFP disciplinary committee wasted no time in delivering its verdict:

• One-match suspension without appeal
• An additional match suspended
• Prohibition from the bench, referees’ locker room, and any official function during the sanction.

In practice, De Zerbi will not be on the bench Friday at La Meinau, for the trip to Strasbourg in the opening of Ligue 1’s 6th round.

A “logical” sanction, but a toxic climate

From a regulatory standpoint, nothing surprising: a coach sent off for dissent almost automatically gets a one-match ban. But once again, the impression prevails that the LFP relishes wielding its hammer against OM, even though De Zerbi’s behavior did not cross into the unacceptable.

For let’s not forget: it was a protest at the very end of the game, in a heated context, without any physical threat or major overreaction. Many observers noted that a Parisian coach might have received more leniency…

The sporting impact

Without his head coach on Friday in Strasbourg, OM will have to rely on the relay of their technical staff. De Zerbi, as we know, is never far removed from the pitch — and his instructions will find their way. But his absence on the sidelines will inevitably weigh on an important clash against an Alsatian team sitting high in the standings.

Another symbol in the OM–LFP battle

This suspension adds to an already tense climate between Marseille and the League. After the episode of the postponed Clasico, where OM had to brandish the rulebook to get justice, here comes another chapter illustrating the mistrust and constant tug-of-war.

OM does not bend. Neither on the pitch against PSG, nor in the offices against a League too often perceived as favoring their Parisian rival.