Six months after the last match of his professional football career, Bafétimbi Gomis came to inaugurate a stadium in his name, this Sunday, in the Beaucaire district. On the sidelines of a ceremony full of emotion, the former international striker dropped a small bomb on Sporting Toulon, still stuck at the amateur level (National 2).
“Maybe one day I will buy the club and try to build it up with investors”launched “Bafé”, in response to a question from a colleague. Stating straight away that “the question is not there today”. In the meantime, he said to himself “available” to help Sporting in one way or another. “Claude (Joye, the majority shareholder, Editor’s note) is in place, let's try to support them as best we can and help them climb the ladder, which is no easy task. I chat with him from time to time and if I can afford to give him advice, I do.”
Joye: “The doors are wide open to him”
Claude Joye, who lives like Gomis in Lyon, confirms: “We have been discussing for many years, about the players, about what it takes to go higher… And I have always expressed the wish that he joins us. It is possible that he will do so, in a sporting or financial role that will have to be defined with him, but not in the short term. The doors are wide open to him.
Nostalgic for the great years and the professional era of Sporting Toulon, which he saw play at the Mayol stadium, Bafétimbi Gomis also admits a little regret: “Not being able to complete the loop at Sporting, my last club before leaving for the Saint-Étienne training center. I am envious of my colleagues who were able to defend the colors of their city’s club.”
The former ASSE, OL, OM and Galatasaray player announced his retirement a month ago, after a final experience in Japan, at Kawasaki Frontale.
