When and how did you learn of the cancellation of the match against Tours?
From Friday evening, when we arrived in Tours, some of my contacts in Tours were already discussing the possibility that the match could not be played… This (Saturday) morning, around 10:45 a.m., we received a first message from the FFF which was going in this direction. We decided not to say anything to the players and we were informed at 11:30 a.m. that the match would finally take place. Until the official cancellation, of which the FFF informed us around 1 p.m., just before communicating its decision.
What reasons were given to you?
At least 6,000 to 7,000 spectators were ultimately expected and Tours FC simply did not have the means to ensure a sufficient level of security to accommodate them.
Do you remember such a precedent in the Coupe de France?
No, I've never seen that!
What does this last minute postponement inspire you?
A shared feeling. I am sad for the Tours club, to see it in this situation today, even though it was very healthy when I coached there (from July 2013 to October 2014). But if I look more selfishly from the point of view of FC Lorient, I am relieved not to play this match on a pitch which was expected to be difficult, with risks of injury for my players just before the holidays. And I don't see how the match could be postponed, which means we would have to spend this round on the green carpet.
How did your players react?
In the same way: they were both disappointed not to play a match for which they had prepared all week and happy to go on vacation a little sooner than expected.
Does this cancellation have consequences on the team's program?
No, most of the players had planned to go on vacation from Tours directly after the match. The others got on the bus to return to Lorient. The resumption is still scheduled for Monday, December 30, to prepare for our next championship match in Laval (Saturday, January 4, 8 p.m.).
France
