The Portuguese right-back was forced off on a stretcher during the first half of Lille’s 1–0 win on Saturday, 10 October. The injury has prompted Lille to question the decisions made by match officials and seek a review of the incident.
In a statement published on Monday, 12 October, Lille confirmed the severity of Santos’ injury and said the player would require a lengthy rehabilitation period. The club also indicated that it was exploring possible legal avenues to obtain compensation for its losses.
Lille demand disciplinary review
The incident occurred when Le Havre midfielder Amir Richardson challenged Santos during the first half of the match.
The referee awarded a foul but did not show Richardson a yellow or red card. According to Reuters, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) process did not lead to further disciplinary action during the game.
Lille believe the challenge warranted a red card and have asked the French professional football league, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), to refer the matter to its disciplinary committee.
The club is also seeking clarification about how the match officials reviewed the incident.
In its statement, Lille said it was exploring all possible legal options and reserved the right to take further action to obtain compensation. The club added that it would support Santos should he decide to pursue measures to defend his rights.
However, Lille has not confirmed that it has filed a formal lawsuit.
Le Havre defend their player
Le Havre have responded to Lille’s position by wishing Santos a speedy recovery while defending the decisions made during the match.
The club noted that neither the referee nor VAR considered the tackle worthy of punishment at the time.
Le Havre also questioned Lille’s attempt to seek retrospective sanctions against Richardson, arguing that such action would fall outside the existing regulations.
The disagreement places the focus on the disciplinary framework governing Ligue 1 and the circumstances under which incidents that have already been reviewed during a match can be reconsidered.
The French Football Federation and the LFP had not immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment at the time of its report.
Second serious knee injury for Santos
The injury is another major setback for Santos, who previously suffered a ruptured ACL in his left knee in 2024.
The 24-year-old Portuguese defender now faces a lengthy rehabilitation following damage to the ACL and meniscus in his right knee. The combination of injuries is particularly concerning because of the demands placed on a full-back, including acceleration, changes of direction and defensive recovery.
The Associated Press reported that Santos was expected to miss the remainder of the season.
His absence could affect Lille’s defensive options as the club balances its domestic campaign with European competition.
Lille prepare for Arsenal clash
Despite the serious injury to Santos, Lille secured a 1–0 victory over Le Havre, with the result keeping them near the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
The French side are also preparing for their UEFA Champions League meeting with Arsenal in London on Tuesday, 13 October.
The club will now have to manage Santos’ recovery while continuing its campaign across domestic and European competitions.
For Lille, the immediate priority is supporting the injured defender. The wider dispute over the tackle and the possibility of legal action could continue as the club seeks answers from the relevant football authorities.
The case also raises questions about how football authorities handle serious injuries arising from challenges that are not punished with a booking or sending-off during a match. Any further disciplinary or legal developments will depend on the applicable regulations and the response of the relevant bodies.