Nice vs Marseille: Match to replay on neutral ground behind closed doors

Nice received two points, including one suspended, after abandoning its match against Marseille following an invasion of the field, confirmed the governing body of the French league (LFP).

The match, which originally took place on August 22, will be replayed on neutral ground behind closed doors.

Marseille defender Alvaro Gonzalez was suspended for two matches while Dimitri Payet, hit by a bottle thrown by a supporter, was suspended for one match.

Marseille physiotherapist Pablo Fernandez was also suspended until June 30, 2022 for his involvement in events on the ground.

“The club regrets that any invasion of the field that could endanger the safety and health of the players was not immediately and more firmly sanctioned.

“OM has always been a club deeply committed to the fight against violence and racism.

In response to the sanctions, Marseille President Pablo Longoria said: “The football authorities have had a historic opportunity to set an example by scoring.

“These sanctions do not seem to take into account the toxic climate that surrounded the match during which their safety was not guaranteed, which was recognized throughout the hearings.

“I also want to congratulate the referee of the match who never changed his position regarding the endangerment of the players on the pitch and his wish not to restart the match.

“Our players, who should only be competitors in a football match, were the victims that night. In this particular case, punishing them in any way for violence seems like an easy way out.

“As president of OM, my desire has always been and will remain to preserve the safety of all players in football.

Last month, the Marseillais Payet was hit by a bottle thrown at him by a fan. Payet, 34, first fell to the ground before reacting to the incident. His response prompted fans to skip the billboards and take to the Allianz Riviera pitch. The game was finally abandoned 90 minutes after the game was stopped.

After the match was abandoned, several Marseille players, including Matteo Guendouzi and Luan Peres, were photographed with choke marks on their necks.

The stewards struggled to retain a number of fans, who made their way onto the pitch. Some Marseille players have also been seen intervening to help protect Payet.

Marseille head coach Jorge Sampaoli was seen being restrained and restrained by his staff and players as the incident unfolded.

Nice took the lead in the 49th minute thanks to Kasper Dolberg. The match was suspended in the 76th minute.

(Photo: VALERY HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)

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