Referee Tony Chapron made headlines throughout the world after kicking Diego Carlos in the game between Nantes and PSG. Since that's not the kind of attention the French top flight wants to attract, the league's execs have decided to ban Chapron until further notice following his performance on Sunday's game.
The French Federal Referee Committee(CFA) admitted that Chapron had already changed his match report after watching the incident on TV, erasing Diego Carlos' red card. Chapron, who was scheduled to appear in the Ligue 1 game between Angers and Troyes this Wednesday, will be banned until the proper authorities clear him to officiate games.
Chapron had already stated that this would be his last year as a referee, and may very well have appeared in his last game as an officer if the ban is extended. The officer issued a press release earlier today, where he offered his apologies to and explained this curious incident.
"It was a clumsy and inappropriate reaction. I want to apologize to Diego Carlos. I have issued another report to the CFA asking to erase the second yellow, since I've come to realize that his gesture (kicking him in the head) was involuntary," Chapron stated in his press release.
"During the game, I was hit by Diego Carlos. Out of the shock produced by that hit, I felt an acute pain and as a reflex, I stretched my leg towards him. I'll make no further comments," the press release added.
