Montpellier defender banned 1 year for violence

Montpellier defender Cyril Jeunechamp has been suspended for a year by the French Football League for hitting a journalist.

Jeunechamp hit L'Equipe reporter Jose Barroso after Montpellier's 1-1 draw against Valenciennes on Nov. 17. Jeunechamp had taken offense to an article written by Barroso earlier that week.

Jeunechamp was suspended for an indefinite length of time on Nov. 23.

The ban means that Jeunechamp, at the age of 37, could have played his last match for the defending Ligue 1 champion.

Jeunechamp signed for Montpellier in 2009 and has been an integral part of the team.

Montpellier goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren has been suspended for the first two matches of 2013 for his intimidating behavior toward Barroso in the same incident.