Metz deducted point over Ouaddou racism abuse

Valenciennes's Addeslam Ouaddou wearing a jersey against racism prior to French L1 football match against Le Mans at the Nungesser Stadium in Valenciennes, in February 2008. First division strugglers Metz were on Thursday deducted one point by the French league disciplinary commission after a fan racially abused Ouaddou in a league game last month.

First division strugglers Metz were on Thursday deducted one point by the French league disciplinary commission after a fan racially abused Valenciennes' Moroccan international defender Abdeslam Ouaddou in a league game last month.

The Valenciennes player was so upset at the barrage of abuse he suffered in the game that he marched into the Stade Saint-Symphorien stands at half-time and was booked.

French league disciplinary commission president Jacques Riolacci said that the club would also have to play a match behind closed doors.

Metz, bottom of the French league table with 18 points from 30 games, have leave to appeal the decision.

Metz president Carlo Molinari condemned the penalty as "too heavy".

"I find this a very heavy one for a club like ours. We have tried to tackle the problems of racism. It is a flabbergasting penalty," he said.