Lille consider legal action over Tiago Santos knee injury against Le Havre

Lille are considering legal action after Tiago Santos sustained a serious right-knee injury during Saturday's 1-0 victory over Le Havre, BBC Sport reported. The club have also requested disciplinary scrutiny of the challenge by Amir Richardson, who was penalised for a foul but received neither a yellow nor a red card.

Watch the highlights:

Santos, 24, was taken off on a stretcher after the first-half incident. According to the report, he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and suffered a meniscal tear in the same knee. Lille said the defender would be unavailable for several months. He had started every one of their Ligue 1 matches this season before the injury.

The dispute centres on Lille's view that Richardson's tackle warranted dismissal. In a statement reported by the BBC, the club characterised the challenge as dangerous and lacking control, and said it had come from behind. Lille asked the league to put the incident before its disciplinary panel, questioning both the circumstances of the injury and the absence of a card.

Lille have also approached the French Football Federation and the Professional Football League to seek a review of how the match officials and video assistance handled the incident. Separately, the club said it was examining possible remedies and retaining the option of seeking compensation through legal action. That position signals consideration of a claim, rather than confirmation that proceedings have already begun.

Le Havre disputed Lille's position while expressing support for Santos. The club said both it and Richardson wished the defender well in his recovery, but defended the decisions made by the referee and video assistant referee. Le Havre also challenged the attempt to have Richardson punished retrospectively, arguing that such a sanction would not be consistent with the existing regulations.

BBC Sport said it had sought comment from the LFP, which oversees France's professional leagues. Its report did not include a response or announce a disciplinary ruling. Lille, meanwhile, sit second in Ligue 1 and face Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Santos now facing the extended absence outlined by his club.