PSG deplore the severity of new punishment

Paris Saint-Germain have blasted the revised punishment handed down to sporting director Leonardo.

The Ligue 1 club appealed the original decision to ban the Brazilian for nine months after he was alleged to have pushed a referee but it was subsequently extended to run until June 30, 2014.

That will mean that the 43-year-old will have to stay away from the touchline and the referee’s dressing room for the whole of PSG’s 2013-14 campaign.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “Paris Saint-Germain acknowledges the verdict passed down by the French Football Federation’s Appeals Commission, and published on the Federation website on Thursday, concerning the club’s sports director Leonardo and the conditional withdrawal of points for the club.

“The club deplores the severity of the new, harsher penalty handed down by the Commission to Leonardo, in whom the club reiterates its total confidence.

“Paris Saint-Germain will consider its future legal options once it will have received and studied the wording of the Appeals Commission’s decision.”

The French champions were also issued with a suspended three-point deduction.