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Lyon president Jean-Michael Aulas has slammed the racists who left defender John Mensah in a "terrible psychological state" after the Ligue 1 victory at Le Havre.

A Le Havre supporter was arrested but was not alone in monkey chanting the Ghana stopper before and during the 3-1 win at Stade Gerland.

Mensah was sent off with 20 minutes left in the match, which Aulas and coach Claude Puel attributed to the effects of racial abuse.

"I went into the dressing room during the match because John, who had just been sent off, was in a tragic psychological state," Aulas said. "He had been subjected to racist insults that we have to denounce.

"At half-time, John didn't want to go back out because he had been truly humiliated personally. I understand that completely and he has our full support.

"In the second half, put in a difficult psychological situation he made a few errors which led to (referee Alain) Hamer sending him off.

"It's true that the earlier gestures and cries uttered from the crowd were too much for him."

Aulas added: "I am throwing out an appeal to all football fans in Le Havre, Lyon and anywhere in France.

"We must defend our values. These are things I don't want to relive in a stadium again."

Reda Maher / Eurosport