Marseille president slapped with mega 15-match ban for 'true corruption' rant following match which left Roberto De Zerbi wanting to quit France

Longoria also accused the French top-flight of being "rigged" and branded it a "sh*tty championship" after witnessing some debatable decisions in his team’s 3-0 defeat to Auxerre – which saw Roberto De Zerbi’s side finish the game with 10 men.

The referee’s union in France was quick to condemn Longoria’s tirade, and he has since apologised. He will, however, have to serve a lengthy ban from "all official functions" at Stade Velodrome – which includes being on the bench, visiting the dressing room and stepping foot on the pitch.

Marseille advisor Fabrizio Ravenelli, who accused referee Jeremy Stinat of "not knowing what he was doing", has also been stung with a three-match ban. Both sanctions could into effect from March 4, after a meeting with Nantes on Sunday.

De Zerbi will be hoping that no more controversy is sparked there, as the former Brighton boss said in the wake of a disappointing loss to Auxerre: "I'm Italian, and after OM I'm not going to coach in France again. There's a problem in the French championship, if French people are happy with this level of decision-making, then good for them. But today it was scandalous. The referee was not in [the right state of mind to officiate] this match because of all the controversy surrounding him."

Marseille, with former Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood starring for them this season, sit second in the Ligue 1 standings with 11 games left to take in. Champions League qualification appears to be on the cards, but table-topping Paris Saint-Germain have opened up a 13-point lead at the summit.