French Football - PSG & Marseille Points Deduction

PARIS, Apr 3 (SW) - French rivals Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille have both been hit with a one-point penalty for conduct from both sides in relation to their match last month.

The match, played at Parc des Princes on 5 March, saw PSG settle for a 0-0 draw against a Marseille reserve side after they had refused to send their best team over security worries.

Marseille had said the PSG officials were planning to seat their supporters directly beneath those of PSG and had not sold them the number of tickets they had been promised for their traveling supporters. Marseille also urged their fans not to travel to the game.

The president of the Professional Football League (LFP), Frédéric Thiriez repeatedly ensured Marseille that there would be adequate security forces on hand and urged Marseille to send their best squad. However, Marseille refused and the French Football Federation determined they'd had enough of both sides.

In addition to the penalty, both PSG president Pierre Blayau and Marseille president Pape Diouf have been banned for three months after "harming the sport's image".

Both sides have said they intend to appeal the penalties to the fullest extent they can.

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