The Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu Football club will ultimately not fly to Reunion. The Union Sportive Phillibertine Football (N3) was to play the 8th round of the Coupe de France against Saint-Denis FC (R1). It is the Vertou football club which will play on the island in its place. Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu will host Pau, a Ligue 2 club.
This micmac follows an appeal filed by USSA Vertou (N3) with the French Football Federation. The Loire-Atlantique club has indeed lost on penalties during the 7th round of the Coupe de France, against Aytré-Etoile Maritime (R2). Except that the Charentais-Maritime club was not not in compliance with the license of one of its players. “Last year's club was not indicated on the license”, explains Alban Atonatty, president of the Vertou club. This fault was recognized by the FFF which therefore considers USSA Vertou as winner of the match in question.
Vertou in Reunion, Saint-Philibert receives Pau
The Vertou club therefore progresses well into the 8th round of the Coupe de France. “We had an emotional lift”says Alban Atonatty, president of the Vertou football club. First the disappointment after the defeat in the 7th round. Then three days of battle to win the case by filing an appeal. “Now, I’m a little exhausted,” adds the president of the Vertavian club. And finally, the joy of continuing the adventure. “We fought to fight against fraud and for the important financial aspect which comes into play in the eighth round,” explains Alban Atonatty. Indeed, all clubs qualified for the 8th round of the Coupe de France will receive a grant of 12,000 euros. “It’s a very significant sum for us, an amateur club.”
The Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu club is very disappointed
By domino effect, Vertou's return to the competition resulted in the Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu club's trip to Reunion to be canceled. “I put myself in their place. I am not boasting about this qualification. The disappointment for them must be enormous even if they have a very big match to play against a Ligue 2 club.”develops Alban Atonnaty.
Obviously, on the Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu side, **”lThe disappointment is great”, summarizes club co-president Patrice Gautier. “We all had in mind that we were going to the sun. The players had taken time off. Some supporters were even ready to follow us.” Patrice Gautier deplores the way in which this was done and organizational problems what this implies behind. “We are going to have to welcome Pau, but we cannot receive them in our stadium which does not have a stand. We have to find one elsewhere. And we only have one week left to manage this event.”
However, he does not want the Vertou club : “We have nothing to say about their appeal. If there was a real licensing problem, they were right to point it out“. But Patrice Gautier is angry with the French Football Federation. “SIf Étoile Maritime reaches the 7th round of the Coupe de France without us realizing that there is a problem with a player's license, it is because there is a real problem with their side”underlines the president of the Saint-Philbert club.
This change also has a consequence for a Vendée football club: Étoile Sportive Ornaysienne Football Vendée La Roche-sur-Yon which was to play against Aytré-Etoile Maritime. She will finally host a Martinican team, RC Saint-Joseph.
