Marseille physio Pablo Fernandez faces ban for YEARS after running onto pitch to punch Nice fan, who remains in hospital
THE Marseille physio who punched a Nice fan in chaotic scenes during their Ligue 1 clash could reportedly be banned from football for YEARS.
Tempers boiled over during the game when Nice fans stormed the pitch and the match was subsequently abandoned.
Pablo Fernandez was seen to PUNCH a supporter in the chest, with Marca reporting that the man is still in hospital.
The Marseille backroom staffer now risks ‘severe disciplinary sanction’ for his actions.
Wearing a black T-shirt, shorts and trainers with an orange bib, the physio ran up to the fan, who was wearing a white T-shirt and dark cap.
Catching the spectator completely unaware, he thumped him with a heavy blow to the upper chest area.
It sent the trespassing fan tumbling to the turf as Nice defender Melvin Bard looked on in shock.
The Marseille employee backed away after hitting the fan to avoid any retaliation from the other Nice supporters invading the pitch.
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The carnage erupted after a bottle was launched from the stands towards Marseille star Dimitri Payet.
He picked up the missile and lobbed it back towards the crowd of Nice fans.
Payet’s team-mates Alvaro Gonzalez and Arsenal loanee Matteo Guendouzi rushed over to back him up, also angrily shouting at the Nice supporters.
That prompted a number of yobs to storm down from the stands and try to FIGHT Marseille stars.
Amazon report that Nice ultras ‘drew blood’ from former West Ham hero Payet – with Luan Peres and Guendouzi having strangle marks on their necks.
STAND CLOSURE
The French league have already dished out one punishment.
Nice’s south stand will closed for the next four home games.
Les Aiglons could also be handed a points deduction according to Marca, with Marseille also at risk of that after failing to play out the rest of the game.
The game will have to be replayed – and this could be behind-closed-doors.
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