Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Lille v Le Havre AC - Decathlon Arena Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France - October 10, 2026 Lille's Tiago Santos is stretchered off REUTERS/Nicolas Economou

Lille consider legal action after defender suffers ruptured ACL in tackle

· CNA · Join

Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST

Oct 13 : French club Lille said they are considering legal action after defender Tiago Santos suffered a serious knee injury following an "uncontrolled and dangerous" tackle in Saturday's Ligue 1 match against Le Havre.

Santos, 24, suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal tear in his right knee and was taken off the field on a stretcher after being tackled by Le Havre midfielder Amir Richardson during the first half of Lille's 1-0 victory.

The referee gave a foul for the tackle but did not issue Richardson with a caution.

Lille said the tackle merited a red card and that they had asked the league's governing body (LFP) to refer the matter to its disciplinary committee. The club are also seeking an explanation of the video review process undertaken by match officials.

CNA Games

Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time

Buzzword
Create words using the given letters

Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser

Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge

Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less

"LOSC is exploring all possible legal avenues and reserves the right to take any legal action necessary to obtain compensation for its losses," the club said. "It will support Tiago in any steps he decides to take to defend his rights."

In response, Le Havre wished Santos a quick recovery, but highlighted that neither the match referee nor the Video Assistant Referee deemed the tackle worthy of punishment.

"Given this, HAC questions LOSC's move to have the FFF (French federation) and the LFP punish its player after the fact, since such a decision would fall outside the current regulations," the club added.

"HAC respects all fellow Ligue 1 clubs and expects the same respect in return."

The FFF and LFP did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours in France.

Portuguese defender Santos previously suffered a ruptured ACL in his left knee in 2024.

Lille, second in Ligue 1, face Arsenal in London in the Champions League later on Tuesday.

Source: Reuters

Newsletter

Recommended Read

Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read

A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here