Auxerre have this morning released a statement apologising for the actions of their manager Jean-Marc Furlan, who was sent off towards the end of yesterday’s match against Clermont after showing the middle finger to opposing fans.

Furlan justified the gesture – which he repeated a second time after being sent off – in his post-match press conference, and indicated that he had no regrets. He explained that the crowd had insulted him after he had complained to the referee over what he saw as a lack of fouls being given in his team’s favour.

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Auxerre have described Furlan’s behaviour as “inappropriate” and said that it “does not align with the values of respect and fair-play which the club has always advocated for and extolled. We would like to offer an apology to the Clermont fans as well as our own supporters.”

AJA fell to their sixth defeat of the season against an impressive Clermont, which leaves them in 16th, hovering just above the relegation zone.