Against a backdrop of security problems, the 32nd final of the Coupe de France between Tours and Lorient could not take place this Saturday, December 21. Questioned by its players and its coach, the management of the Touraine club defends itself and hopes that the match will be postponed, and not lost on the green carpet.
This is one of the facts of this Coupe de France weekend. The 32nd final scheduled for Saturday afternoon between Tours (N3) and Lorient (L2) could not take place, the fans being unable to ensure security in the stadium according to the club's own admission in a press release. Since then, reactions have continued, pointing out management's failings. The latter defended itself, through its president Ivan Desmet.
“From what I understood, Mr. Prefect and Mr. Mayor did everything to ensure that the match took place, but unfortunately the private security personnel, provided for in the minutes, could not be required to accommodate the 7 to 8,000 people planned”, indicates the president of Tours FC in a press release published late Saturday evening. The club believes it has done things in order and on time, according to its president. “We will later shed light on what was missing to organize this match. We can simply inform you that we have entered into a contract with a private security company and that all funds were ordered by transfer before the match as was required of us by the service provider”, specifies Ivan Desmet.
“Hacene Haddad, you will pay for this charade”
As for the players and staff, deprived of a great celebration with this reception of a Ligue 2, the pill is difficult to swallow. “It’s a lot of frustration,” said coach Bryan Bergougnoux on RMC. “I was lucky enough to experience this kind of atmosphere, I think a lot about my players who make enormous sacrifices. They sometimes tried to put pressure on management in relation to all that. I was able to dissuade them because it would have given a bad image. Going on strike in football is always badly received. They said nothing, they continued to work and today they are deprived of a match which would have been unique. for them in their lives. I'm very angry.” Tours FC's accounts have been in the red for several years, which has caused several administrative relegations, until the demotion to R1 where the club is playing this season.
In the midst of this slump, one man crystallizes the criticism. Hacene Haddad, close to the president but who does not hold any position at the club, would be at the origin of this failure. “I’ve seen some liars, but this imposter you have to see to believe,” blasted Brandon Dany Dady, Tours FC player, on Instagram. “You ruined the party, the hopes of an entire city. Families came to support their children, but you Hacene Haddad will pay for this charade from the start.” A targeted attack which questions Haddad's real role at the club.
“Tours deserves better”
According to La Nouvelle République, a first security system proposed by the club had been validated by the Prefecture of Indre-et-Loire. But, still according to the daily, Hacene Haddad intervened a posteriori to review the organization of security personnel. This second version, this time refused by the authorities, would have created confusion. The club would have tried, at the last moment, to backpedal to return to its initial system, without success.
Criticism of the club's management, whether official or unofficial, even comes from the political field. “Tours deserves better,” said Olivier Lebreton, vice-president of the Departmental Council of Indre-et-Loire. In his press release on Saturday evening, the president of the TFC indicates that the club will do everything to ensure that the match is played.
