Lille (France) (AFP) – Marcelo Bielsa did not attend an “interview prior to a possible dismissal” at his club Lille on Wednesday and will instead await a hearing by the French League (LFP), his lawyer told AFP.

Lille suspended the Argentine coach, known as “El Loco”, on November 22 and announced on Tuesday that they had summoned him to an interview.  

“He had no reason to go,” said the lawyer Carlo Brusa, adding that Bielsa was nevertheless represented on Wednesday. “The legal commission of the LFP has precedence.”

Brusa said that his client “had confidence in sporting justice” but said that it was possible that Bielsa and Lille could reach a deal before the LFP hearing on December 12.

Lille have invested heavily in players since a change of ownership in January, but have made a disastrous start to the season and sat 19th in the 20-team first division at the start of Wednesday’s match at Lyon.