Lille consider legal action after Tiago Santos suffers ACL rupture in Amir Richardson tackle
Lille consider legal action after Tiago Santos suffers ACL rupture in Amir Richardson tackle
Lille have confirmed defender Tiago Santos ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and suffered a meniscal tear in his right knee during Saturday's 1-0 win over Le Havre, and the French club are now weighing legal action over the challenge that caused the injury.
The 24-year-old, who has started every Ligue 1 match for Lille this season, was carried off on a stretcher in the first half after being tackled by Le Havre midfielder Amir Richardson. The referee flagged the challenge as a foul but did not show Richardson a yellow or red card, and the video assistant referee did not intervene.
Club demands disciplinary review
Lille say they have asked the league to refer the incident to its disciplinary panel, believing it should have been a red card because the tackle was made "from behind, uncontrolled and in a dangerous manner".
"Beyond the injury itself, the circumstances in which it occurred and the lack of sanction raise serious questions for the club," the club said in a statement.
"LOSC has referred the matter to the French Football Federation and the Professional Football League in order to obtain an examination of the handling of this action by the refereeing team and the video assistance.
"LOSC is studying the possible remedies and reserves the right to take any legal action to obtain compensation for its damages."
The club added that Santos will be unavailable for "several months".
Le Havre hit back
Le Havre responded by saying that the club and Richardson had expressed their support for Santos in his recovery, but backed the decision of the match referee and the video assistant referee. They also questioned Lille's move to "punish its player after the fact, since such a decision would fall outside the current regulations".
"HAC respects all fellow Ligue 1 clubs and expects the same respect in return," Le Havre added.
BBC Sport has contacted the LFP, which runs the French professional leagues, for comment.
Fixture pressure
Lille currently sit second in Ligue 1 and face Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday, with their defensive resources now stretched by Santos' lengthy lay-off.