Despite his summons before the Professional Football League’s disciplinary committee and the opening of a preliminary investigation following his controversial stance against Le Havre in early November, Toulouse’s Norway international Aron Dönnum will be present for Sunday’s Angers reception at the Stadium, his coach announced on Friday.
“This is a situation that has an impact on him but it also has an impact on the team and I know that on Sunday Aron will give his best to help the team,” Carles Martinez said during a press conference, referring to the match day 13 of Ligue 1 scheduled at the Stadium.
“This is a situation that has an impact on him and also the team”
On November 2, during the countdown of the 11th day of the Ligue 1 match between TFC and Le Havre (0-0), after a duel with Cameroon midfielder Simon Ebonog, the 27-year-old Norwegian international waved his hand in front of his nose while looking at his opponent.
Regarding this action, which was quickly condemned by Le Havre coach Didier Digard after the meeting, the LFP disciplinary committee summoned him and will take a decision on November 26.
At the same time, the Toulouse prosecutor’s office announced on Thursday the opening of a preliminary investigation into public insults due to race, targeting the Norway international (27 years, 18 caps).
The TFC coach did not wish to comment on this legal aspect, believing “that this is an extra-sporting decision that the club cannot control”. “Everyone is supporting him. He is enjoying his family, qualifying for the World Cup with Norway and since coming back to us he has trained very well,” he added.
His teammate Rafik Messali, who was present at the press conference, also publicly supported him: “He is someone we know very well. He is sad about the situation but we support him and we will support him until the end. When you say things like that about someone, it hurts.”
Aron Dönnum, who is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards in the next match, on November 9 at Lorient (1-1), will start on the right side of Toulouse’s attack.
Since the start of the season, the Norway international has started all eleven matches he has played (3 goals and 1 assist).
