Ligue 1 club FC Lorient have terminated the contract of Burkinabe midfielder Bley Martin Nogoto after he was handed a lengthy suspension by the French football disciplinary authorities.
Nogoto was punished following an incident involving the refereeing team while playing for Lorient’s reserve side towards the end of last season.
The midfielder had been shown a red card before his conduct towards the officials led to further disciplinary action.
The French Football Federation’s disciplinary committee found that Nogoto had not physically assaulted anyone, but judged his behaviour towards the referees to be threatening.
Members of the Lorient staff reportedly had to intervene to prevent him from making contact with the referee.
The disciplinary decision has now left Nogoto facing a prolonged absence from competitive football and has also brought his time at Lorient to an abrupt end.
The former New Stars and Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou player received an 18-month suspension from competitions in France.
The sanction could potentially have consequences outside the country under FIFA regulations, further complicating his situation.
Lorient subsequently decided to end their relationship with the midfielder, with the club understood to have concluded that managing the situation had become too difficult.
The case relates to an incident involving Lorient’s reserve team, rather than the club’s first team. However, the severity of the disciplinary ruling means its impact extends beyond the immediate incident.
According to the information provided, Nogoto’s behaviour was considered particularly serious because of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
While there was no finding of direct physical aggression, the disciplinary committee considered his actions towards the officials sufficiently serious to justify the exceptional length of the suspension.
The player was reportedly restrained by members of Lorient’s staff during the incident to prevent the situation from escalating.
The suspension adds to a difficult period in Nogoto’s career. His disciplinary record during the season had already included several suspensions linked to his conduct, according to information obtained by Africa Top Sports.
Lorient’s decision to terminate his contract therefore comes as the latest consequence of a disciplinary problem that has followed the midfielder during his time with the club.
Nogoto’s departure also marks a major setback for a player who had previously built his career in Burkina Faso before moving to France.
He had represented New Stars and Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou before continuing his career with Lorient.
The move to France offered him an opportunity to develop his career in European football, but the latest disciplinary ruling has placed his immediate future in serious doubt.
The 18-month ban means he will be unable to participate in official competitions in France for a significant period.
Depending on how the sanction is applied internationally, the consequences could extend beyond French football.
