LFP: Olympique Marseille president Pablo Longoria given a 15-match ban for criticising refereeing

"Pablo Longoria, president of Olympique de Marseille (Ligue 1 McDonald's), has been handed a 15-match suspension from all official functions and access to the bench, the players' and officials' changing rooms, the pitch, the tunnel and all corridors leading to these areas by the LFP's disciplinary committee," announced the Ligue de Football Professionnel on 26/02/2025.

This decision, which "takes immediate effect", is in response to comments made by Pablo Longoria regarding the refereeing of Jérémy Stinat following OM's defeat by AJ Auxerre (3-0, Matchday 23 in Ligue 1) on 22/02/2025. "In his 20-year career, I've never seen anything like this," said the Spaniard, who referred to "total corruption."

On 23/02/2025, the French National Ethics Council announced its "unanimous" decision to refer the matter to the LFP's disciplinary committee. The body, chaired by Frédéric Thiriez, recalled that it had "already warned Pablo Longoria after he made comments that discredited refereeing during the Olympique de Marseille - RC Strasbourg match on Sunday 19/01/2025."

"Olympique de Marseille takes…