The president of Tours FC charges the security company

Saturday, the French Cup match between Tours FC (R1) and FC Lorient (L2) was canceled due to a security problem. President Ivan Desmet comes out of silence.

This is a great first for a thirty-second final of the Coupe de France. The meeting between Tours FC (R1) and FC Lorient (L2) was canceled for security reasons, a few hours before kick-off. The system had been modified the day before, which the Prefecture had refused on Saturday morning. Touraine President Ivan Desmet broke his silence via a press release sent late this Sunday evening.

“The cancellation decision taken by the Prefecture was based on the observation that Tours FC was unable to ensure the security of the stadiumhe recalls. We of course regret this decision but we believe that we cannot bear full responsibility for it. We signed a first quote, on 16/12/2024, for a little over €12,000 with the company SOS. This quote was increased to just over €17,000 with more agents and increased attendance hours on 12/17/2024. Following the increased quote, the SOS company was questioned about the increase in the volume of hours, which required its agents to intervene at 2 p.m. instead of 3 p.m. While the doors opened to the public was scheduled for 4 p.m. Upon which, the leader of SOS got angry and sent an email deciding to no longer participate in the event on 12/18/2024 at 9:59 a.m. »

A sum of 18,000 euros paid to the security company

According to its president, Tours FC therefore sought another solution to ensure the security of the match. Especially since nearly 8,000 spectators were expected at the Vallée-du-Cher stadium. “We immediately contacted other security companies to find a replacementexplains Iva Desmet. We were immediately able to sign with another security company, which had the staff available on 12/18/2024. Except that we were contacted by the prefecture, telling us that it was no longer possible to change service provider. Whereupon we contacted SOS to possibly, and if necessary, cooperate with this security company. »

But according to the Touraine president, the security company allegedly engaged in blackmail. “The manager of SOS also demanded payment of the debt included in the recovery plan for a sum of approximately €49,000. Mr DESMET tried to explain that Tours FC is in a recovery plan. This requires that the invoices included in the plan had to go through the court. » The sum of 18,000 euros, i.e. the increased estimate, would have been paid by Tours FC to the security company.

Towards a defeat on the green carpet for Tours FC

But she ultimately declined the service. “A final security meeting was held on 12/21/2024 to finalize the security of the meeting in the presence of the Prefect and the Mayorassure Ivan Desmet. The town hall indicating that if the problem was the payment of the service, it guaranteed payment. However, the SOS manager indicated that he was not able to provide a sufficient volume of agents as he had committed to in the quotes and during the security visit. »

The FFF will make a decision, probably during the day, for this unprecedented case. Ivan Desmet hopes “find a favorable outcome for the club allowing this match to be played. » But with the calendar at the start of 2025, it seems very complicated to schedule a French Cup match. FC Lorient plays on January 4 in Laval then on January 11 against Metz. And the round of 16 are scheduled for January 14, 15 and 16. Needless to say, it seems impossible!