With one month to go before training resumes, Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne seems to be once again embroiled in an embarrassing summer situation. Turkish club Galatasaray recently announced on its social networks the signing of Brazilian Victo Cardoso, who is under contract with the Cévébiste team: fact or fiction?
It was a full squad that the president of Chaumont VB 52 Haute-Marne, Bruno Soirfeck, had unveiled on Friday, June 7, at the Brasserie de Vauclair, in front of all the club’s partners. A group of thirteen players and a partially renewed staff that suggested a balanced and competitive collective, thanks in particular to the elements kept from last season. Except that on Thursday, June 27, information from the social networks of the Turkish professional club Galatasaray called into question this pre-season serenity. “The club is pleased to announce the signing of Brazilian player Victor Cardoso, from the French championship and Chaumont.”
Inevitably, the news came as a bolt from the blue to the ears of the Haute-Marne supporters concerning a player who was logically still under contract for one year with the Haute-Marne club. Information which, although it was made official by the Turkish club, has not yet been confirmed either by the Cévébiste club or by the international authorities necessarily concerned by this possible last-minute transfer.
But the silence that the Chaumont club has maintained regarding this affair for almost a week now inevitably suggests that there is indeed a “Cardoso affair”. “I will not make any comments until further notice,” was all the CVB 52 president replied.
A case that recalls another
A situation that is clearly embarrassing for the club, which is reminiscent of the “Gutierrez imbroglio” that had already disrupted the summer of 2022, when the Cuban, under contract with the Haute-Marne club, had, at the same time and pushed by his agent, signed with the Italian club Cisterna. The CVB 52, within its rights, had then brought in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to try to cancel the transaction or recover a financial windfall from this transfer. But the body, after having supported the Cévébiste club, had ended up, a few weeks later and inexplicably, by giving its agreement for the Cuban to play under his new transalpine colors, for a case that faded over time with, in the end, only one big loser: the CVB 52.
At the time, the Chaumont leaders had nevertheless found a solution by bringing back the emblematic captain of the 2017 French champion team, Nathan Wounembaina. But what will happen in the coming days, if the departure of Victor Cardoso is confirmed?
A decision that is all the more inexplicable since, according to reliable sources, the Brazilian refused a few other offers from French or foreign clubs at the end of the season, claiming that he wanted to stay another year at Chaumont to continue to grow. It was also a way of thanking the club for having propelled him to the top of the bill, with the title of best receiver-attacker in the championship up for grabs at the end of the season. What could have made the 25-year-old South American change his mind in recent weeks? The influence of his agent, a tidy sum up for grabs by joining the Turkish club… In any case, if Victor Cardoso’s departure is confirmed, the club will therefore find itself with a squad to fill, one month before training resumes.
Which solution ?
A major player to replace who would also, by repercussion, weaken the balance of the squad. Because with Victor Cardoso, this new collective had a high-class striker, potentially capable of accompanying a duo of “pointus” (Pierre Tolédo and Cheikh Diop) who will discover for the first time, whoever the lucky one is, a starting position, in a role with great responsibilities.
Suffice to say that the “bet” taken by the Cévébistes leaders in the offensive sector would become riskier. Unless they find the “rare pearl”, at this time of year, who would come to replace the promises maintained by the presence of Victor Cardoso… Or that the Brazilian finally stays in Haute-Marne, but for this last option, the chances seem increasingly slim…
Laurent Genin
