Fan arrested for racial insults at Mensah

A Le Havre fan has been arrested by police for shouting racist insults to Ghana defender John Mensah, who was sent off for two bookable offences in the second half of a French league game.

"Around the 55th minute, a so-called Le Havre fan has been arrested by police because he had been shouting racist insults to John Mensah," Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said.

"It started during the warm-up and it went on during the whole first half."

Coach Claude Puel added: "John was shocked. He heard some scandalous words."

Mensah was sent off for a second bookable offence 20 minutes from time and Puel said he should have replaced him because the player was too upset to play.

"It's my fault, I should have substituted him before," he said.

The incident did not prevent seven-times champions Lyon from grabbing an easy 3-1 win and they are now on 49 points after 24 matches, leading second-placed Paris St Germain by four points after the capital side beat St Etienne 2-1 on Saturday.