finally, US Bolbec will play its 8th round of the Coupe de France against Stade Malherbe… in Caen!

There was total confusion for US Bolbec (Regional 1) which was to host SM Caen (Ligue 2) this Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., at the Pavilly stadium. Ultimately, the decision was taken to refuse this possibility because of risks linked to phenomena of hooliganism between supporters. The match is finally reversed and will be played in Caen. The information is confirmed by Kevin Beaufils, president of the Seinomarine club.

“Obviously, we are a little disappointed but it will remain a historic day for the club.” Kevin Beaufils, president of US Bolbec, confirmed to us by telephone the turning point in this very long and complicated story for the amateur club: this 8^e round of the Coupe de France will be played this Saturday, November 30 at 1:30 p.m., at the Michel D'Ornano stadium in Caen.

An announcement made official by email by the French Football Federation on the morning of Wednesday November 27 to future opponents. Return to a journey strewn with pitfalls.

The magic of the Coupe de France seems to have disappeared. The magic of Christmas is not even there to make up for the situation, no gifts are given to US Bolbec as its 8 approaches^e Coupe de France round against Stade Malherbe in Caen.

This Tuesday, November 26, 2024, a security commission was held bringing together the two clubs, the Seine-Maritime prefecture, the fight against hooliganism, the gendarmerie and the municipal police of Pavilly among others.

Because yes, the match could not have been played in Bolbec, the emergency solution was found with this town close to Rouen and its 1900-seat stadium. But in the end, this will not be the case: this alternative was rejected for… security risks.

The fear is on the side of the stands, the relationship between Caennais and Rouennais supporters is frightening, like that between Caennais and Le Havre. A member of the club confided to us: “oHe told us that it would have taken 300 gendarmes to ensure the security of the match“.

So a question is on everyone's lips at the club: what do we do?

“We are taken hostage”

6 p.m., at the Tetlow stadium in Bolbec, supporters parade to take their seats for the match, proud of theirs, proud to be able to attend this historic meeting. “Playing a Ligue 2 club, when you're in Regional 1, doesn't happen every day“, says Jocelyne, the first to buy tickets.

Among the club members present, Philippe Beaufils, sponsorship manager of US.Bolbec and father of the current president of the Bolbec Sports Union.

“It will not be possible to play in Pavilly as in Bolbec for a very simple reason: hooliganism between Caen and Rouen but also between Caen and Le Havre. We are only Bolbec, our players gave everything to reach this 8^e turn and this is how it looks.“, the man confides to us with bitterness.

There are no other words: we are taken hostage. It's Tuesday evening, the match is normally held on Saturday, count it up. We don't know where we're playing, or if the date is kept. Are we going to be able to play it elsewhere? You have to ask the question to the French Football Federation. I already thought that there was a world of difference between amateur and professional football. This just confirms it.

Philippe Beaufils, US Bolbec sponsorship manager

A hard decision to take and one that completely changes the situation.

A whole balance is being undermined. “Even without talking about our players, our volunteers work hard to make this day a celebration. Today, they are very disappointed because they give a lot of their time. We take them for nothing. On the financial side, it’s complicated too. We sold more than 300 tickets in one day without ultimately knowing if the match will not be reversed and played in Caen. You will have to repay. When we sit down and take stock, we regret having passed the tour when it should be a celebration. The party is ruined. We all have jobs, it's sad but we can't just think about that“, insists Philippe Beaufils.

Everything is shaken up behind the scenes but also on the ground. 7 p.m., the two coaches prepare for their evening session, technically it is the penultimate before the match.

Benoît Ghiskier and Lokman Cakmak react. “It's more complicated, we still don't know what type of surface we're going to play on. In any case, we know that we will suffer against such a team but that doesn't help.”

Everything that happens around the field will also play a role. We need our supporters, not sure if they will all make the trip. Playing at D'Ornano is a chance but we will have less impact, we will not be at home.

Lokman Cakmak, coach of US Bolbec

Benoît Ghiskier adds: “dIn the preparation, we had in mind to play at Pavilly, it is inevitably disappointing especially so little time before the deadline. We often say that the Coupe de France is the cup of all possibilities, we have our doubts“.

Ultimately the final decision of the authorities and the French Football Federation is without surprise. The meeting will be played in Caen this Saturday, November 30 at 1:30 p.m.

For motivated supporters, buses will be made available to make the trip. The players can't wait to shake the great Stade Malherbe.