(photo: LAuRAFoot archives / Doctor Gérard Saez, Elective General Assembly of LAuRAFoot in St-Etienne on January 29, 2017)
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Football League is very sad to inform you of the death at the age of 73 of Doctor Gérard Saez, sports doctor, former member of the League Council, former President of the Regional Commission Medical, former member of the Federal Medical Commission, President of the Association of Regional Federal Football Doctors.
After starting out at the Association Sportive Neyrpic in Grenoble, Gérard Saez joined the FCG (FC Grenoble) where from 1972 to 1978 he expressed his well-above-average technical qualities in midfield. Intelligent in placement, he is an excellent No. 6, ball catcher. In 1968, due to his human and leadership qualities, he was the captain of the Lyonnais cadet selection where the young Bernard Lacombe was playing, who could not hold back his tears after a bitter defeat (on corners!) in the final against in Alsace. This meeting was played in Colombes in May 1968 as a curtain-raiser to the final of the Coupe de France, Bordeaux / St Etienne.
Gifted in many fields, he pursued a brilliant education at the same time which allowed him to begin medical studies. While a professional career in football could be considered, he chose to focus on his studies to become a doctor.
photo: Lyonnais cadet selection (1968): Gérard Saez (standing, 5th from the left) and Bernard Lacombe (crouching, 3rd from the left)
Always close to football, he began his career in football authorities within the regional and national medical commissions and sat on the League Council (from 2003 to 2023). he became President of the Association of Regional Federal Football Doctors (AMFRF) whose creation in 2007 responded to a request from federal doctors, isolated in their district or in their league.
Passionate about sports, he played tennis and golf and continued to share his passion for football in the 1990s with his comrades, former Grenoble players called “cularo”, while traveling the world, Hong Kong, Senegal, Spain, etc. to participate in the World Veteran Football Championships.
The President, Pascal PARENT, the members of the League Council, the members of the commissions and the staff of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Football League present their sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
The civil ceremony will take place on Friday December 20, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral center in La Tronche (avenue du grand sablon, 38700 La Tronche) followed by private burial.
> Thanks to Bruno Guiguet, Jacky Raymond and Jean-François Vallet for their contribution to the writing of this Carnet Noir.
