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Metz win appeal against points deduction for firecracker incident

Metz will no longer be docked any points for the crowd incidents that damaged the hearing of Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

Metz had initially been docked two points -- and were threatened with being deducted a further point for any future transgression by their fans -- after firecrackers were thrown onto the pitch during the Ligue 1 game on Dec. 3.

They exploded near Lopes, leaving the goalkeeper's hearing temporarily impaired.

The punishment -- handed down by the French Football League's Disciplinary Commission -- left Metz a point and a place above the Ligue 1 relegation playoff place.

However, after making their case to the French Football Federation's Appeals Commission, the Lorraine club have now had the two deducted points restored to them, though they will now be docked all three points should further incidents occur.

They now move up onto 30 points, and climb two places up the table into 15th.

The club will still have to replay the game, which Metz were leading 1-0 when it was abandoned, behind closed doors.