Detroit Lions make final punishment decision on fan who confronted Green Bay Packers sideline in angry exchange
One of the Detroit Lions’ supporters who participated in a verbal altercation with Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur on the field has been disciplined.
LaFleur, 45, claimed the fan made slits in his throat at his players.
According to ESPN, the Lions have officially canceled the fan’s season tickets.
A portion of the conversation that took place prior to Week 14 Thursday Night Football was captured on TV cameras.
Before kickoff at Ford Field, the Lions fan, who The Detroit News has named as Fahad Yousif, was on the field to hold the flag during the playing of the national anthem.
LaFleur then went up to Yousif, and they spoke to each other.
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Then, coaches and players from the Packers stepped in and broke up the altercation.
LaFleur was questioned about the incident during a press conference after Detroit defeated the Packers 34–21.
During his press conference after the game, LaFleur was questioned about the event.
“I’ve never been a part of something like that,” he replied.
“He was giving our guys the throat slash gesture and yelling trash to them.
“You’re trying to de-escalate it and then he gets in my face.”
“I thought it was pretty unsportsmanlike,” LaFleur continued. I have never witnessed that.
“I’ve been on many fields and usually they police that much better.”
Yousif expressed his sadness to The Detroit News after learning that he had been deprived of season ticket benefits because of a “small incident.”
“The biggest gut punch,” Yousif said to the news organization.
It was a horrible sensation to wake up, get that email, and be unable to speak with someone face-to-face.
“I don’t have my chance to give my side of the story or anything.”
Following the primetime victory, the Lions’ record rose to 12-1.
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Green Bay lost the game 9–4 despite Josh Jacobs scoring three touchdowns.
In Week 15, Detroit will host the Buffalo Bills, while on Sunday Night Football, the Packers will travel to play the Seattle Seahawks.
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