THE Detroit Lions have punished one of their fans who was part of an on-field verbal exchange with Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
The 45-year-old LaFleur accused the fan of making throat-slit gestures at his players.
GettyGreen Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs and head coach Matt LaFleur stand for the national anthem before the Week 14 game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field[/caption]
LaFleur was involved in a confrontation with a Lions fan before the gameNFL Network
ESPN reported that the Lions confirmed that they have revoked the season tickets from the fan.
TV cameras showed part of the exchange that occurred before the Week 14 Thursday Night Football.
The Lions supporter, who has been identified as Fahad Yousif, per 7 News Detroit, was on the field to hold the flag during the national anthem before kickoff at Ford Field.
LaFleur then approached Yousif and the pair exchanged words.
Packers players and coaches then intervened and separated the two.
Detroit went on to beat the Packers 34-21 and LaFleur was asked about the incident in a press conference.
LaFleur was asked about the incident in his postgame press conference.
“I’ve never been a part of something like that,” he said.
“He was talking junk to our players and giving them the throat slash sign.
“You’re trying to de-escalate it and then he gets in my face.”
LaFleur then said, “I thought it was pretty unsportsmanlike. I’ve never seen that.
“I’ve been on many fields and usually they police that much better.”
Yousif told that he was sad to hear that he lost his season ticket privileges due to what he called a “small incident.
“The biggest gut punch,” Yousif told the news outlet.
GettyLaFleur looks on during the Packers’ 34-31 loss[/caption]
“Just waking up and seeing that email and not being able to talk to somebody in person, it was a terrible feeling.
“I don’t have my chance to give my side of the story or anything.”
The Lions improved to 12-1 after the primetime win.
Josh Jacobs ran in three touchdowns for Green Bay in the game as they fell to 9-4.
Detroit will host the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 while the Packers will be on the road to take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football.