AS Monaco: Paris Brunner summoned by the disciplinary committee after his controversial celebration

The goal will perhaps be remembered, but its celebration could cost Paris Brunner dearly. After scoring a superb goal against Strasbourg on Saturday at Meinau, the AS Monaco striker mimed a knife going under his throat in front of the Alsatian stands. A sequence which has not gone unnoticed and which has now earned the young 20-year-old German summoned by the disciplinary authorities of French football according to the Team.

The National Ethics Council (CNE) reportedly decided on Monday to refer the matter to the disciplinary committee of the Professional Football League. Brunner's action could constitute, according to the CNE, a breach of the principle of exemplarity enshrined in the ethics charter.

If the main person concerned nevertheless defended himself: “They talked about my family, my mother, my father. I could see them (those who insulted), declared the Monegasque. After the goal, there were a lot of emotions, especially after a goal like that. I didn’t want to be disrespectful.”, the argument was clearly swept aside by the court.

The president of the CNE, Frédéric Thiriez, confirmed this referral: “The strength of the CNE is that it can take charge of a matter on its own,” recalls Frédéric Thiriez, its president. He does not need a complaint, an arbitrator's report or that of a delegate. He can do it himself. That’s what we did today.”

The disciplinary committee will now have to determine the exact nature of the action and especially the level of sanction to be adopted. The disciplinary regulations provide for several levels of response depending on the classification of the facts.

In the case of “excessive/inappropriate behavior”, Article 4 provides for a one-match suspension. But if the commission considers that the celebration is rather “intimidating/threatening behavior”, covered by article 8; the sanction could increase up to four suspension matches.

Frédéric Thiriez, however, wanted to point out that the CNE did not prejudge the final decision: “It seems to us a priori that the player's gesture could constitute a breach of the principle of exemplarity contained in the ethics charter. But I would like to point out that we are not judging the case and that it is the disciplinary committee which will assess the facts and whether or not there is reason for sanction.