Yahia summoned over linesman ‘acting’ claims

Lens defender Alaeddine Yahia was on Tuesday summoned to appear before the national ethics board of the French Football Federation (FFF) after apparently accusing an assistant referee of faking injury.

The official in question, Emmanuel Boisdenghien, was struck by an object thrown from the crowd during Lens’ 4-1 defeat at home to local rivals Lille on September 11, in which two players from the home side were sent off.

The incident occurred shortly after the dismissal of Issam Jemaa at the beginning of the second half and prompted a delay of several minutes.

“The assistant referee needs to stop dramatising,” said Yahia in an interview with local newspaper La Voix du Nord several days later.

“I saw exactly what happened. He was only hit by a ball of paper, which had been used for the ‘tifo’ (fans’ display) before the match, with three chips inside.

“He should go and see Steven Spielberg because he’d be good in the cinema. But he has to stop saying that he can’t sleep at night anymore and that he sees (Lens’ stadium, Stade) Bollaert in his sleep.

“I don’t condone the act because it was cowardly and it was done when his back was turned, but for me, all of that was just cinema!”

Boisdenghien was granted five days’ leave from work following the incident.

Yahia will appear before the FFF’s ethics committee on October 18.