In a brief press release, the French Football Federation announced on social networks that the meeting scheduled for December 21 at 6 p.m. between Tours FC and FC Lorient was canceled.
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“The prefecture of Indre et Loire and the Town Hall of Tours noted that FC Tours was not able to put in place a system to guarantee the holding of the match in terms of welcoming the public, details the press release from the French Football Federation. Consequently, the decision was taken in consultation with the stakeholders to cancel the meeting..”
A decision which, according to our colleagues at La Nouvelle République, would be due to a mix-up in the organization of FC Tours. A first security system, validated by the Prefecture, would have been judged too expensive by a close friend of the president of the club which plays in Regional 1. But its new organization did not receive the approval of the authorities. The match will therefore not take place.
Following administrative demotions, Tours, still in Ligue 2 six years ago, is one of the smallest teams still competing in the Coupe de France.
A decision which also comes a little more than a month after the conviction of two members of the “Merlus utras”, a group of supporters of FC Lorient. On November 8, the Lorient court imposed a sentence of two years in prison including one year under bracelet for one, eight months in prison including four suspended for the other. During the match against Ajaccio on September 27, 70 hooded and gloved “Merlus Ultras” attacked Corsican supporters in a bar in the city center.
Spectators are asked not to go to the stadium. But obviously the people of Lorient were undoubtedly already on the road when the decision was taken.
On social networks, the Ultras of Lorient called for motivation for the last trip of the year.
The Organizing Commission of the Coupe de France will examine the follow-up to be given.
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