France: Leonardo, former sporting director of Paris SG, claiming €8.5m in damages from the FFF

The Brazilian Leonardo, the former sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1), is claiming €8,514,952 in damages for "moral damage to his image and reputation" from the FFF (French Football Federation), according to the paper Le Parisien on 16/01/2015.

The former PSG leader had been suspended 14 months by the FFF after shoving a referee during the PSG - Valenciennes match in the hall of the Parc des Princes on 05/05/2013. He had, following this decision, resigned as sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain on 17/07/2013.

"I can confirm this claim. We will study it and see if we say yes or no. When one considers that the amount is reasonable, we can settle things amicably. If this is not the case, it will be necessary for the courts to say what would be a reasonable amount," stated Jean Lapeyre, legal director of the FFF, on 16/01/2015.

The facts of the case Leonardo

• Following his gesture towards the referee Alexandre Castro on 05/05/2013 at the PSG-Valenciennes match, Leonardo was suspended nine months by the Disciplinary Commission of the LFP (French Professional Football…