Football: “condemned to wait”, OAC still hopes for a repechage in N2 after the relegations of Bordeaux and Niort

OAC president Didier Bilange and manager Philippe Mallaroni still waiting to stay in National 2. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

OAC does not want to be the fall guy. Now the first potential draft candidate after Saumur and Haguenau stayed in N2, the Alès club has contacted the federal authorities. It is still waiting for a response, but time is running out…

Mo-bi-li-zed. On the green rectangle, and outside. If on the sports field Hakim Malek rebuilds a team, victorious Thursday August 8th against Montpellier Atlas Paillade (R1) 5-1 in a friendly (double by Ekra, goals by El Koubaïti, Fari and Paulet) ; on the administrative front, the OAC leaders are still waiting for a possible draft in National 2.

FFF, Amateur Football League and CNOSF

Following the administrative demotion to N2 of the Girondins de Bordeaux and the exclusion of the Chamois niortais from all national competition (therefore a probable relegation to Regional 1), pronounced on August 1st by the DNCG, financial policeman of French football, Alès hopes to stay in N2. More than ever!

Philippe Mallaroni, OAC manager: “Am I optimistic”? Let's just say I hope common sense prevails!”

OAC manager Philippe Mallaroni is determined and fired up: “The suspense, and therefore the indecision, continues and nerves must be strong. As soon as the announcement concerning Bordeaux and Niort was made, we first wrote to the FFF, through our law firm Grimaldi et associés, and contacted the Amateur Football League (LFA) and its two bodies, namely its executive office and the commission dealing with competitions. Then, in a second step, we contacted the CNOSF. Things are done.”We are condemned to wait but all this should change quickly. Am I optimistic ? Let's say that I hope that common sense will prevail the year the Federation (FFF) decided to move from four N2 groups to three groups of 16 teams. But common sense…"

15 clubs and therefore an exempt in a N2 group the season of the reform, that would mark badly…

Common sense would dictate that there should not be only 15 clubs in one of the three groups, which would be a bad sign for the reform season. Today, the situation is as follows: on the FFF website, Bordeaux is still in National because the Girondins have appealed; Goal (Ouest Lyon) is in the South group of N2 while it could be drafted into National if Bordeaux's relegation is confirmed; and Niort is still in the N2 West group while the Chamois have been excluded…

The OAC and Goal (West Lyon) in close contact

The OAC and Goal, who have still not received a federal response, are in close contact to assert their rights. Bordeaux's appeal should be examined before August 15. If confirmed, logic would dictate that Goal would be drafted into the National, that Bordeaux would join the West group of N2 and Alès the South group (with Niort in R1).

Normally, no draft after the publication of the calendars…

Except that the FFF had set July 17, the day the calendars were published, as the deadline for drafts… But Sochaux, however, last season, had joined the National after the start of the championship, so… “We are suffering from the mismanagement of other clubs, this is neither normal nor acceptable”, Mr. Mallaroni notes.

The National resumes Friday August 16, the N2 Saturday August 17, and the N3 Saturday August 24. Time is running out. Place your bets…

The OAC should play a final friendly match against the OM reserve team (N3) at the end of next week.