Qqualified for the 8th round of the Coupe de France after beating USSA Vertou (0-0, tab 4-2) on November 17, FC Étoile Maritime was eliminated three days later by a decision of the federal commission of regulations and disputes of the French Football Federation (FFF). This, due to a problem concerning La Rochelle player Frank Kouakou. His license was in fact canceled in the spring of 2024 following a false medical certificate provided by his former Parisian club for 9 players, including the new La Rochelle defender.
FC Étoile Maritime quickly appealed this decision. Heard Monday, November 25 at the beginning of the afternoon by the higher appeal commission of the FFF, the La Rochelle leaders and their Parisian lawyer Laurent Fellous hoped to prove their good faith since according to them, the error in recording the license of the player who played for FC Solitaires Paris Est in 2023-2024, was the sole responsibility of the Ligue de Nouvelle-Aquitaine and that they did not have to suffer the consequences.
“No reason” to believe in elimination
On Monday, the suspense lasted until around 8:15 p.m., when the site footamateur.ouest-france.fr affirmed that the FFF had dismissed Étoile Maritime's appeal, confirming the first instance decision. Total surprise for the La Rochelle leaders since they had not received any information from the FFF.
Reached by telephone at 10 p.m., Moncef Azzoune, the sporting director of the Aunisiens, clarified the club's position: “With our lawyer, we have brought 14 new documents to the file in order to defend our case. After appearing before the commission, we were told that a decision would be made quickly, without giving us a deadline. At this time, we have not received any report from the FFF and we have no reason to believe that we are eliminated from the Coupe de France. »
France
