Official | Marseille to appeal Medhi Benatia’s 3-month ban a second time

Marseille have been unsuccessful in Medhi Benatia’s three-month long suspension appeal. The French FA reviewed today the former Morocco international’s sanction. The former Bayern Munich and Juventus centre-back has been sent off during a heated Coupe de France tie against Lille OSC after an altercation with fourth referee Jérémy Stinat. Benatia then received a three-month ban on January 30. Last month, Marseille president Pablo Longoria erupted in rage during Les Phocéens‘ away Ligue 1 loss to Auxerre when several of Stinat’s decisions did not go Marseille’s way. The Spaniard has been handed a 15-game ban.

Despite today’s ruling, Marseille have decided to appeal Benatia’s suspension a second time, this time in front of the CNOSF – Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français – the highest sporting authority in France “to obtain a coherent and proportionate decision.” Marseille continue to consider Benatia’s ban to be unfair and disproportionate, “especially in light of the broadcast images which make it possible to state without any ambiguity that their Director of Football did not behave in a threatening manner towards the fourth referee of the Coupe de France tie against LOSC.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval