Rennes to travel to Marseille without Brice Samba after booking is upheld | OneFootball

The LFP disciplinary commission has upheld the yellow card shown to Brice Samba in Sunday’s 2-4 loss at Lyon, confirming his suspension for Rennes’ final-day trip to Marseille on 17 May. With Samba out, understudy Mathys Silistrie is expected to start.

Samba knew a fifth caution would rule him out of the Vélodrome date, potentially decisive in the race for Europe, and sought to avoid time-wasting in a favourable scenario. Mr Turpin instead judged he helped unbalance Afonso Moreira in the box during Lyon’s second goal.

On that move the Portuguese forward broke clear to face Samba, was first impeded by Mousa al-Tamari, then fell as he met the goalkeeper. The caution could also have gone to the Jordanian forward, which would have sidelined him for the finale. Rennes’ appeal was rejected.

Mr Turpin had already told Franck Haise there were two contacts and there would be no change, leaving little optimism. Haise felt the more significant contact came from Mousa and accepted Rennes would probably have to do without Samba in Marseille.

Samba was unimpressed by the exchange, saying the referee had taken the easy option by booking the keeper. He maintained he did not touch Moreira and found the explanations inconsistent. He had hoped the decision would be reviewed.

Silistrie, 20 and under contract until 2029, made his senior bow in a 3-0 Coupe de France win over Les Sables VF on 21 December, then started the 1-3 defeat at Lens on 7 February under predecessor Habib Beye.

Source: L'Équipe