Paris (AFP)

The Parisian striker Angel Di Maria, accused of spitting in the direction of the Marseillais Alvaro Gonzalez, passes Wednesday before the disciplinary committee of the League (LFP), new extension of the stormy "clasico" PSG-OM polluted by five exclusions as well as accusations of racism.

The Argentinian, who was not sanctioned during the Ligue 1 match won by OM (1-0) on September 13, was caught by television images which convinced the body to summon him .

The Telefoot broadcaster captured the moment when the player spat at the Spanish defender, but did not reach him, as well as the latter's strong reaction.

The disciplinary regulations of the Federation (FFF), which serves as a reference for the LFP, provide for up to six suspension matches for "voluntary sputum likely to reach a person or in the direction of a person".

"Hitting" the targeted person, and "more when the sputum hits them in the face", can make the penalty worse - two situations that do not seem to apply for Di Maria.

But the texts did not anticipate the health situation linked to the new coronavirus, which can be transmitted by postilions.

"In the period of Covid-19, spitting is very serious," responded Marseille midfielder Valentin Rongier.

- Controversy -

On the PSG side, coach Thomas Tuchel does not expect his player, one of the best at the start of the season, to be suspended.

"I am very surprised that Angel has to speak with the commission, and especially so late. I cannot wait for a suspension of Angel", indicated the technician last Wednesday, at the time of the announcement of the disciplinary commission of its convocation.

The German's astonishment is also due to the fact that the referee, helped by the video assistance, did not notice the spitting during the match.

Di Maria's gesture "was the subject of a video assistance search at that time, and she could not find any images to support this fact," told AFP Pascal Garibian, technical director of arbitration (DTA), the day after the "clasico".

This meeting, played in a deleterious atmosphere at the Parc des Princes and ended with the start of a fight and five exclusions, has already resulted in a first round of sanctions on September 16.

The disciplinary committee also opened an investigation after the Brazilian Neymar claimed to have been the victim of racist abuse.

© 2020 AFP