The Armenian head coach reportedly called the former France international a “crybaby” to which Sakho did not respond too kindly and the altercation unfolded. Following the aftermath of the training ground incident, the 34-year-old has confirmed his departure from MHSC. 

In his statement, Sakho has said that he “declines all responsibility” for the altercation with Michel Der Zakarian and puts the incident down to the reasoning behind “ending his collaboration with Montpellier”. The former Paris Saint-Germain defender thanked the players, who he called his “little brothers”, La Paillade’s sporting director, Bruno Carotti and club president Laurent Nicollin. Sakho’s statement includes no mention of Der Zakarian. The centre-back is now available as a free agent. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

Montpellier were leading 4-2 in the 91st minute when the incident happened. The firecracker was thrown from the Montpellier utlras section and exploded next to Diaw. The Senegalese international was stretchered off and all players returned to the tunnel for their own safety. The match was then abandoned. 

The LFP have since announced that Montpellier will incur a two-point deduction (one suspended), whilst the game has to be replayed in full behind closed doors. In addition, the Étang de Thau stand, from where the firecracker was thrown, will be partially closed for two matches. The date for the replay has now been revealed. The match will be played in Montpellier on Wednesday 29th November at 19:00 local time. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Paradou are the club responsible for producing internationally recognised Algerian talents like Ramy Bensebaini of Borussia Dortmund and Youcef Atal of Nice. The Algerian first division club are set to command €800k plus bonuses for the 20-year-old. Titraoui has played more than 60 appearances in the Algerian top flight. 

Montpellier could also be forced to reinforce their defence in the January transfer window. Former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has been suspended following a fight with head coach Michel Der Zakarian in training. This suspension is likely to see Montpellier light in central defence until the January transfer window unless they explore options in the joker window which allows French clubs to sign players domestically. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

At the time of the abandonment, Montpellier were leading Clermont 4-2, but the LFP have ruled that the fixture be replayed in its entirety behind closed doors at the Stade de la Mosson. Les Héraults have also been handed a two-point (one suspended) deduction. There will also be a temporary closure of the Étang de Thau stand for the next two matches. It is from here that the firecracker, which landed at the feet of Diaw, was thrown. These sanctions take effect immediately, concluded the LFP’s communiqué.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Players and staff members had to pull both men apart to prevent further escalation. The outlet reports that Sakho, who only played six minutes this Ligue 1 season, was incensed during Tuesday’s training game at Montpellier’s Grammont centre. After not being given a foul by Der Zakarian, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool defender stormed out of the pitch.

The unimpressed Der Zakarian reportedly scolded him, saying it was not up to Sakho to decide how and when he should train. The France international fought back by mentioning his peaceful behavior within the squad despite severely limited game time. L’Equipe understands that Der Zakarian’s rather derogatory answer was the spark that ignited the brawl with Sakho losing his temper and grabbing his head coach by the collar, subsequently making him fall to the dressing room floor.

Ligue 1 insider Mohamed Toubache-Ter believes that Der Zakarian called Sakho a “cry-baby‘ and that the latter kicked him to the floor, notably breaking Der Zakarian’s necklace – a family heirloom – which enraged the former Nantes and Brest boss.

Speaking to L’Equipe, Der Zakarian informed that he had “nothing to say” on the matter. The outlet understands that this training ground brawl was probably the last straw for Sakho. The PSG youth product is entering his final contract year at Montpellier, who failed to offload him last summer. The 33-year-old may even be dismissed by Montpellier over serious misconduct.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Maamma, who celebrated his 18th birthday earlier this month, has enjoyed a good start to the season with Les Héraults’ reserve side. In four matches, he already has four assists and two goals, and this has reignited Freiburg’s interest. The Bundesliga side are a long-term admirer of the Morocco U20 international and they are now seriously considering a move in the January transfer window. Maamma is currently only on a one-and-a-half-year intern contract at Montpellier. 

Juventus’ interest is much more recent. The Serie A side, who are attentive to young players coming through in the French market, have enquired about the Moroccan youth international. Should Maamma join the Italian club, he would join their ‘Next Gen’ U23 side. Juventus scouted Maamma whilst he was on international duty in a tournament held in South Korea at the beginning of October. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The red card came after the Ligue 1 match between Clermont Foot and Montpellier was suspended and subsequently abandoned by referee Florent Batta after a firework, which exploded next to Clermont Foot’s goalkeeper Mory Diaw (30), was thrown onto the pitch from the stands in injury time with Montpellier leading 4-2. Diaw was stretchered off the pitch and deemed unable to continue with the match by a doctor. He has since joined up with the Senegalese national team after being cleared to go on international duty by club doctors.

During the incident, the Brazilian defender Borges was shown a red card after a video replay showed him gesturing with his middle finger towards the Montpellier fans. The decision has been upheld, and he will miss the next two matches against Olympique Lyonnais (22nd October) and OGC Nice (27th October). 

GFFN | Finn Entwistle 

Clermont press charges following firecracker incident

Montpellier looked to be easing towards a 4-2 victory when a firecracker was thrown from the club’s ultras section. The firecracker landed next to Diaw and then exposed, sending the Senegalese international to the ground. The game was suspended and wasn’t resumed. Clermont have decided to press charges against the individual who committed the act. 

Diaw, however, after being stretchered off following the incident, has been deemed fit enough to join his international teammates, following medical tests on Monday. Montpellier risk heavy sanctions for the incident, and given the precedent set, are likely to receive a points deduction. The LFP disciplinary committee will meet on Wednesday, and the verdict will be given within the next fortnight. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Diaw was subsequently stretchered off the field. “Mory is shocked, I was scared for him,” said teammate Johan Gastien. The referee, in order to protect the players’ safety, took everyone on the pitch. Not long after, it was announced that the game would not resume. 

A points deduction? 

Montpellier are now waiting to know the consequences of the abandonment. The LFP disciplinary committee will meet to discuss the incident, and their decision will be known within two weeks, according to L’Équipe. Les Héraults face a points-deduction, and given the precedent set, this is a likely punishment. Following not-so-dissimilar incidents at Nice-Marseille, Lyon-Marseille (both 2021-22 season) and Bordeaux-Rodez (2022-23 season), the clubs in question were punished with a point deduction. 

Montpellier, despite leading 4-2 with just seconds remaining, could lose the match, whilst the closure of the Heidelberg stand, from which the firecracker was thrown, is also a possibility. The game could also be replayed, either in its entirety, or from the minute of the abandonment (90+2). This replay could take place behind closed doors, or at a neutral venue. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Montpellier’s president, Laurent Nicollin, expressed his frustration and disappointment in a post-match press conference, transcribed by RMC Sport. He said, “My feelings? Disgust, disillusionment, and a lot of sadness. When you’re leading 4-2 with five minutes left in the game, and you potentially could be in the 6th position tonight, with the players giving their all for thirty minutes with only ten men… It’s a feeling of disgust. That some idiot throws something from the stands at a certain point becomes unbearable and surreal. I hope Clermont’s goalkeeper is okay; I haven’t seen the footage, but I hope he can return with his teammates.”

Nicollin continued, “When you work hard to achieve something good… We are often criticized for not having ambitions, but with idiots like this, we won’t have any ambition. It’s painful and exhausting. I think of my coach and my players who put on a great performance with ten men, and the result was there. Will the match be counted as a loss or replayed…? The League will surely summon us,” he added, addressing the potential consequences of the incident.

Regarding the fan suspected of throwing the firecracker, Nicollin revealed that the individual had been arrested and discussed the legal repercussions: “What will he get? A stadium ban? That’s French law. It’s not for lack of warning about fireworks or firecrackers, but they don’t care. When you invest yourself and try to do your best and end up with this… We project an image of a club that is not ours. It’s deplorable. There’s a lot of disgust for the players, the staff, and Clermont. We can’t welcome people and be disrespectful to them.”

When asked if he thought Mory Diaw could have continued playing, Nicollin responded with frustration, “I’m not a doctor; it’s not for me to judge. The game is sacred, and we should not throw things from the stands at anyone. It’s not for me to explain that; it’s just about respect. I was told that the firecracker landed 1.5 meters away from the goalkeeper, whether it’s strong or not strong, there are consequences. You shouldn’t throw something at a player. We are educated, raised, and we are not here to throw things at people!”

Nicollin expressed his dismay, saying, “We will be summoned by the disciplinary committee, and they will tell us what to do. My only regret is that we could have been 6th or 7th tonight and put Clermont ten points behind. We might have to play in Nantes while being in the relegation zone, when we could have potentially been European contenders. All because of an idiot, and I’m being polite. It’s purely scandalous. For once, when we could have shifted to the positive side, we could have had a good season, but now we’ll struggle and fight for survival because of people like this.”

GFFN | George Boxall