Coaches see red for blocking VAR monitor as Lens beats Montpellier in Ligue 1

By: The Associated Press Posted: 4:31 PM CST Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

MONTPELLIER, France (AP) — The coaches of Montpellier and Lens were both sent off for blocking the referee’s view of the video review monitor during a turbulent 2-0 win for high flying Lens in Ligue 1 on Friday.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/01/2025 (612 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With 26 minutes gone and visiting Lens 1-0 up, the referee showed a red card to Jean-Louis Gasset and Will Still as they blocked his path to the pitch-side monitor to disallow a second Lens goal.

The unusual decision appeared to confuse both men but it made little difference to the result as Montpellier’s recent revival came to a halt.

A first-minute strike from Angolan striker M’Bala Nzola — the fastest in Ligue 1 this season — and Lens’ second from debutant Jeremy Agbonifo after an hour were enough.

The result lifted them above Lyon and Lille into fifth place, equal on points with the team above it, Nice.

Montpellier remained second from bottom, two points above Le Havre, which plays Angers on Sunday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer