Just before the hour mark at the Orange Vélodrome, Strasbourg‘s season-opening trip to Marseille took a decisive turn. Marseille already led 1-0, and the game had been tense between the hosts and a Strasbourg side looking to open its league campaign with a result.
That balance shifted sharply when referee Ruddy Buquet was called to the pitch-side monitor to review an incident involving Strasbourg midfielder Samir El Mourabet and Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
The two players had already been involved in a physical exchange earlier in the passage of play, grappling briefly before the ball moved on. Moments later, El Mourabet appeared to kick out at Højbjerg’s left calf, a gesture that several reports described as coming from frustration rather than any clear footballing motive.
Some accounts called it a “mauvais geste,” while others described it as a swipe or kick made off the ball. The contact itself was reportedly light, though visible enough for the video assistants to flag it for review.
After watching the replay, Buquet reversed his original take and produced a red card, ruling the action worthy of expulsion for violent conduct. Strasbourg’s official channels confirmed the decision and the fact that the team would play the rest of the match with ten men.
The dismissal is recorded at either the 57th or 58th minute, depending on the source, but all reports agree it came shortly after Marseille’s opening goal and just before the hour mark.
The numerical disadvantage proved costly. Marseille pressed forward with more freedom, added a second goal from the penalty spot after another VAR review, and eventually ran out 4-0 winners.
Strasbourg’s hopes of mounting a comeback faded quickly once reduced to ten players, and the team appeared to lose structure as the match wore on. El Mourabet has otherwise been recognized as a key figure and heart of the Atlas Lions for the Morocco national team, a role often compared to that of Sofyan Amrabat in Morocco’s midfield, making this disciplinary setback a notable contrast to his usual reputation.
Attention has since turned to the disciplinary consequences for El Mourabet. Reports differ on the exact length of a possible ban, with suggestions ranging from a single automatic suspension to as many as two, three, or four matches.
The league’s disciplinary commission is expected to review the incident, and the immediate impact is already clear: he will miss Strasbourg’s next home fixture against Lens.
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