Throat-slash celebration: National Ethics Council refers Coulibaly to LFP disciplinary commission

The National Ethics Council (CNE) referred AS Monaco midfielder Mamadou Coulibaly to the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) disciplinary commission on Monday for his controversial celebration during the 1-1 draw against Le Mans in Matchday 10 of Ligue 1.

The 22-year-old goalscorer made a throat-slash gesture after scoring — identical to the one for which Paris Brunner was sanctioned on September 12. Coulibaly attempted to downplay the incident, claiming it was a “tribute to a friend who told me to do it”. Head coach Filipe Luis acknowledged his player’s mistake while defending him: “He made an error. He understood it right away. He apologized. The club takes this matter very seriously. We hope it won’t happen again.”

These explanations were not enough to close the matter. Chaired by Frédéric Thiriez, former LFP president, the body determined that this type of gesture has no place on a football pitch, regardless of its intent. “Even if the gesture wasn’t directed at opposing supporters, and even if he apologized afterward, the gesture itself is condemnable in principle. Football is not war,” Thiriez said.

The Brunner precedent could weigh heavily on the upcoming decision. The German international received two match bans plus two suspended matches for a similar gesture. Coulibaly therefore faces potential sanctions of the same order, even though his celebration was not explicitly directed at the opposing side.