Pas Nicolas Flores’ men prepare to play a historic 32e of the Coupe de France final on Sunday December 22, at 5:30 p.m., against Le Mans FC (National), behind the scenes, we are working to organize this meeting in the best conditions. Little Thumb of the competition, FC Marmande (Regional 2) will have the advantage of playing at home. Or almost, since the match will take place at the Dartiailh stadium, the lair of the Marmandais XV transformed into a Football stadium.
“The white football lines have been pre-drawn by the City’s technical services, to allow players to train this week,” confides Charles Cillières. The first deputy in charge of sport specifies that the final route will be carried out just before the match. As for the cages stored at Dartiailh, they were dusted and installed in the goal. They appear to have not been used since 2002, a season which saw FC Marmande reach 8e round of the Coupe de France against Toulouse. A record so far. The rugby stadium had already served as a setting at the time.
“We train all week here to get our bearings on the ground,” confirms Lyazid Bahlali, co-president of the FCM. The lawn, entrusted to the care of municipal gardeners, has also been prohibited by municipal decree from any other use, since the French Football Federation validated the choice to play the match at Dartiailh.
Well-mowed lawn
In terms of layout, the FFF will dress the stadium in the colors of the Coupe de France and the advertisements of its partners will cover those of the USM. “Afterwards, the stands remain stands; the locker rooms are still locker rooms,” summarizes Lyazid Bahlali.
Yes, but still, the City’s technical services must follow the FFF’s specifications to the letter. Example: the mowing height of the lawn, which must vary between 25 and 35 mm. “We also had to fill in the athletics track and the vault around the field with carpet. The Federation’s instructions are very precise,” underlines Charles Cillières.
Our commentator, Laurent Bidot, will be in Paris to follow the entire match and speak in the multiplex”
A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 18, at the sub-prefecture, to organize the security of the match. The two stands have 2,100 seats and the stadium can accommodate up to 5,000 people, including standing spectators. But the meeting is not considered particularly risky. “Very few Le Mans supporters should make the trip,” says the deputy mayor.
Another particularity: the meeting will be broadcast live on television, on the beIN Sports channel Max 10. “For two seasons, from the 32ethe entirety of all Cup matches is broadcast until the final,” confirms the editorial director of beIN Sports, Florent Houzot. Two or three cameras will be placed around the field. In addition to the full broadcast, the meeting will be part of the multiplex, with five other matches scheduled at the same time.
“Our commentator, Laurent Bidot, will be in Paris to follow the entire match and speak in the multiplex, where we will see the best of the six matches. We will follow the Little Thumb of the competition,” promises Florent Houzot. The Marmandais too.
