Friday, 28th June, 2013
Monaco have been slapped with a two-point penalty for next season and the added woe of playing their second Ligue 1 game of the season behind closed doors, following an LFP disciplinary hearing.
The action was taken after fans of the Ligue 2 champions had started a pitch invasion following their last home game on 17th May against Le Mans at the Stade Louis II.
Some supporters had lit flares and a referee was also attacked, and Monaco will now start their return to Ligue 1 two points behind the rest of the pack.
The principality club are due for a trip to Bordeaux on the opening day of the season on 10th August, but will be playing their second game behind closed doors at home against Montpellier.
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A statement from the LFP read: "Regarding the seriousness of the facts, Monaco are condemned to one match behind closed doors and a three-point penalty, including one suspended, for the next Ligue 1 season."
The statement added that the punishment had been handed down for "the use of pyrotechnics, the pitch invasion at the end of the match and an act of brutality towards the referee by a spectator who invaded the pitch".
The two-point penalty will be disappointing news for Monaco who were hoping for an all-out tilt at the title as well as securing a European berth thanks to their summer spending spree.
In the short term, they will face an uphill battle right from the start, especially given the tantalising prospect of a clash between Monaco and defending champions Paris Saint-Germain – scheduled for 21st September.
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