the UNFP charges Stade Rennais over the “illegal loft”

The players' union took out the sulphate after the installation of a loft at Stade Rennais. The UNFP considers that it is illegal and points to the responsibility of Rennes leaders.

The UNFP issued a very salty press release. The players' union denounced the establishment of a loft at Stade Rennais deemed “illegal” and which concerns undesirables like Baptiste Santamaria, Gauthier Gallon, Glen Kamara or even one of the star recruits of the summer, the Dane Albert Gronbaek. The UNFP vehemently criticizes Stade Rennais which, according to it, “strives – who knows why – to become a club like any other, has created a loft in the absence – for the moment? – of being able to add a few its employees, professional footballers under contract in their state, in the Christie's catalog…”

A particularly offensive press release against the Rennes management. “What the legal director of the Breton club, member of the FFF Comex, obviously did not specify to the big boss, just as she certainly forgot to warn Philippe Diallo's team that she was going, in her capacity as elected, make the Federation complicit in illegal practices, contrary to the laws of the Republic, put in place by Stade Rennais, in order to pass on to the players the errors of its leaders in the constitution of the squad”, continues the UNFP which relies in particular on conventional provisions which prohibit, she recalls, “the practice of exclusion”. The players' union had already stepped up to the plate for a loft story, in Paris this time, when Kylian Mbappé was sidelined in July 2023.

Exited in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France in Troyes on Wednesday (1-0), Stade Rennais has been in trouble for several weeks. 14th in Ligue 1, with two victories in the last ten matches in all competitions, the SRFC will have to pull itself together with the reception of Brest on Saturday. President Arnaud Pouille has already raised his voice by trying to hold his players accountable. Jorge Sampaoli justified the existence of the loft at a press conference this Friday. “The loft is a decision of the president, of the club. These are players who were not playing and who will leave the club during this transfer window,” said the Argentinian.