FC Rouen midfielder José Dembi (24) will miss the 16th round of the Coupe de France against Angers (L 1) on Sunday 19 January. His wrong? Having removed his jersey against Metz (L 1) to exhibit that of his friend and Guingamp player Nathaël Julan, who died in a road accident on January 3. Before his suspension, the Norman was on the lawn Saturday against the Gobelins Paris to win (1-2) and consolidate the chair of leader of group B of No. 2. He reacted for the first time to the decision of the disciplinary committee of the FFF not to pardon him, despite the support of the referee and his club.
Did you expect leniency from the commission?
JOSE DEMBI. Yes ! I am aware that the people of the commission made this decision to avoid making it jurisprudence. They don't want other bereaved players to do the same in the future. If I had had a death in my family, I would not have disputed this yellow card. But here we are talking about a professional player who died. This concerned French football since he died on Friday January 3 and the entire Cup weekend that followed was marked by tributes with in particular minutes of applause on all stages.
Did you know that by removing your jersey, you risk being suspended for accumulation of yellow cards?
I am a whole person! I had put on Nathaël's jersey so that he would accompany me. I don't score very often and, as if by chance, after 6 minutes, I open the score ... At that moment, the emotion overwhelms me and instinctively I take off the jersey. Honestly, I expected a leniency from the commission. Especially since I am an amateur player and it is not every day that you can participate in a 16th final! They take it away from me because I paid tribute to a friend. I regret this lack of humanism. I find it very cruel! The club appealed. But I trust my partners. I will be at the stadium to encourage them.
"If I hadn't done it, I would have wanted it"
Do you regret your gesture?
No ! Never ! If I hadn't, I would have wanted to. When I got home, I would have said to myself: but why didn't you pay tribute to him at that time? In 10 years, at the end of my career, I will be proud of myself. Many people understand my gesture and would have done like me. It is a pity that the commission did not understand it ...
Five days after your feat against Metz, you followed this Saturday with a success (1-2) at the Goblins in the championship ...
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We could already have had the lead in the Angers match (Sunday January 19) thinking not to get injured. But our priority is the championship! The coach left us alone on Monday evening and Tuesday so that we could be with our families and as of Wednesday he sounded the alarm signal. He told us that this Gobelins match would be harder than that of Metz because we are now expected. We had a solid and united match. We leave with the 3 points and we consolidate our leadership position. It's a great operation!
