[We might be paraphrasing a bit, but the sentiment is still valid.]
In the most unsurprising decision ever, UEFA dismissed Lyon’s latest appeal for a reduction in their punishment, which was given for terrible fan behavior during last season’s home match against CSKA Moscow.
Just guess what Lyon’s response was.
That’s right. They’re going to appeal the refusal of their appeal. Is there anything more quintessentially OL than that?
If you’re already over the Lyon/UEFA love affair, I don’t blame you. The club has been appealing one thing or another since it came into existence in 1950, so the fact that they’ve been in a constant punishment/appeal cycle for the past two years doesn’t faze me at all.
We reported a month ago that UEFA reduced Lyon’s punishment to one closed match with another on probation. That was after Lyon appealed an even earlier sanction for what was pretty shitty fan behavior.
The closed match is scheduled to be Lyon’s first home match in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk on October 2nd. At this point, most clubs would shrug, accept it, and move on – that’s what Ligue 1 rivals Marseille are doing.
UEFA suspensions are gifts that keep on giving.
Yesterday, UEFA finally handed down their sentence for last season’s Europa League match against CSKA Moscow. You know, the racist fan behavior, crowd riots, and illegal fireworks? Fun times.
In their infinite wisdom, UEFA has decided that the punishment will be one home match played behind closed doors, with another on probation – that is, fans better be on their best behavior, or Lyon will have to play a second closed match.
Continue reading “UEFA keep trying to punish Lyon, who keep appealing”
In all the excitement for the new season, I’ve forgotten the axe that’s hanging over OL’s neck. In case you’re like me and pretending that this isn’t happening, here’s a recap:
Last March, during the Europa League Round of 16 game against CSKA Moscow, UEFA charged Lyon with the following:
– Throwing of objects and setting off of fireworks
– Crowd disturbances
– Blocked stairways
– Racist behavior
Lyon Offside 