Metz have been deducted one point by the French league's disciplinary commission.
Disciplinary commission acts over Ouaddou abuse
Metz have been deducted one point by the French league's disciplinary commission.
The penalty relates to an incident last month when Valenciennes' Moroccan defender Abdeslam Ouaddou was racially abused by a supporter.
Ouaddou was so upset with the treatment he received that he marched into the Stade Saint-Symphorien stands at half-time and was booked.
Metz have also been told to play a match behind closed doors, although they have leave to appeal the decision.
Metz were already 16 points adrift of safety in Ligue 1 and their relegation could now be confirmed with defeat to Lens on Saturday.
Club president Carlo Molinari has condemned the punishment, saying: "I find this a very heavy one for a club like ours.
"We have tried to tackle the problems of racism. It is a flabbergasting penalty."
