Monaco points deduction overturned on appeal

PARIS - Agence France-Presse

Emmanuel Riviere of AS Monaco celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Girondins Bordeaux during their French Ligue 1 soccer match at the Chaban Delmas Stadium in Bordeaux, Southwestern France, August 10, 2013. REUTERS photo

An appeals committee at the French Football Federation (FFF) on Tuesday cancelled a two-point deduction imposed on Monaco but upheld a ruling to play one match behind closed doors.
 
The FFF said it had overturned the points deduction given after a Ligue 2 match against Le Mans on May 17, when fans set off flares and invaded the pitch.
 
One fan also attacked the referee in the incident, which came after Monaco secured promotion back to the top flight.
 
Monaco had said they should be treated like any other club, criticising the sanction -- which also includes a suspended one point deduction -- as unduly harsh and disproportionate.
 
Monaco opened their Ligue 1 account on Saturday with a 2-0 win against Bordeaux.
 
The FFF said the behind-closed-doors match was applicable from the club's next match on Sunday against Montpellier.