Ribery handed three-match ban, fine for pushing official

Franck Ribery has been banned for three matches and fined 20,000 euros by the Serie A after pushing an assistant referee following Fiorentina’s defeat by Lazio.

The former Bayern Munich star had been substituted in the 74th minute of the match which ended 2-1, but remonstrated with officials at the final whistle and was shown a red card.

A Serie A disciplinary tribunal described Ribery’s conduct as “seriously disrespectful”, saying the midfielder approached the official with “threatening behaviour” and pushed him twice.

After the incident, Ribery, who joined Fiorentina in the summer, went on to Twitter to apologise for his actions.

Read Also: Air Warriors, MFM Queens for FIBA Africa Club championship

“I apologise to my team-mates, to the coach, to the fans,” the 36-year-old tweeted.

“I apologise also to (the assistant referee) Mr Passeri because at the end of the game I was very upset and I hope he can understand what was my mood.”

Ribery will miss Fiorentina’s Serie A clashes against Sassuolo on Wednesday, match against Parma on Sunday and against Cagliari the following week.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now