Where will JA Drancy (N3) play its 32nd Coupe de France final against FC Nantes (L1) on Saturday December 21 at 6 p.m.? The commission for the century-old event ordered the Seine-Saint-Denis club on Tuesday to find a fallback ground because it will not be able to play in its Charles-Sage stadium, although renovated during the off-season (sidelines, changing rooms, synthetic field, reduction of the athletics track, etc.).
The FFF put forward three arguments: an insufficient number of seats (800), the fact of hosting a Ligue 1 club and the security aspect. On this point, JA Drancy, which played a season in National (18th in 2018-1019), suffers from facing Nantes where the ultras of the Loire Brigade are at war with their management. Last week, they were initially banned from traveling to the Parc des Princes by the police headquarters before finally being authorized after an appeal to the administrative court.
The decision not to play at the Charles-Sage stadium did not pass with coach Himed Hamma. “It’s a scandal because our stadium is classified T2 by the FFF and it is therefore approved to host this 32nd final,” fumes the technician. I feel immense anger and a lot of injustice. We were told at the start of the video meeting don't think about playing Charles-Sage. Why don't we open the discussion? Why isn't the commission coming to our stadium? »
Himed Hamma, for example, does not understand why the neighboring club of Bobigny will be authorized to play in its own stadium against Angers, although it is smaller. “Why do you favor one and punish the other? But, I am very happy that Bobigny is playing its 32nd final at home because the leaders have shown that they are capable of organizing a big event at home. » He adds: “If it is because of the Nantes supporters, we have provided parking for them in our stadium. Security agents travel with their Ultra Nantes. We could have organized their trip with FC Nantes, the Paris police headquarters and the Drancy town hall who were willing to help us. Around a hundred people, not counting the police, can ensure security. »
The race against time is on since the JAD has until this Thursday at noon to find a place to fall back and communicate it to the FFF. Otherwise it will be inversion. Another club from Seine-Saint-Denis, Neuilly-sur-Marne (N3) had the bitter experience of this in the previous round by going to Valenciennes (Nat.) (4-3 defeat). This Wednesday, the tracks leading to the Michel-Hidalgo stadiums in Saint-Gratien, Duvauchelle in Créteil and Charléty in Paris cooled down.
JAD is negotiating with the Réalités group, owner of the Bauer stadium, home of Red Star. “This has a cost and we would not make any profit from this meeting,” indicates Himed Hamma. It's sad for an amateur club which wants to take advantage of the event to earn some money. One thing is certain, if we ultimately have to travel to Nantes, it will be without me on the sidelines. The players are disgusted not to play at home and some are questioning their participation. »
