L’The euphoria of FC Étoile Maritime’s qualification against Vertou (0-0, tab 4-2), Sunday November 17, quickly subsided. The next day, the leaders of USSA Vertou lodged a complaint concerning the qualification of several Étoile players. Quickly, the federal regulations and litigation commission of the French Football Federation (FFF) transmitted this complaint to the La Rochelle leaders for information and observation.
“We responded to this email on Tuesday morning by providing answers, and on Wednesday, at 2:15 p.m., the FFF informed us that we were eliminated from the Coupe de France with a score of 0-3,” explains Moncef Azzoune, the La Rochelle sports director. The commission therefore did not delay in rendering its verdict, considering in its minutes that there had been a false declaration within the meaning of article 207 of the general regulations.
“We acted legally”
The FFF asks the Nouvelle-Aquitaine League to put the “transfer outside period” stamp on the license of La Rochelle player Franck Kouakou. It invites the regional body to “act by way of evocation for all matches not approved on the date of November 18, 2024.” A decision which could therefore have consequences on the Regional 2 championship.
Reached by telephone on Wednesday afternoon, Azzoune elaborated: “The commission did not take our observations into account. We appealed this decision by asking Parisian lawyer Laurent Fellous, specialized in sports law, to defend us. We are confident. Franck Kouakou played in Italy during the 2021-2022 season, but he was free the following season and the League stamp on his license clearly indicated that he was not transferred. Otherwise we wouldn’t have played him. The club acted legally, we followed the usual procedure, which was validated by the regional body. »
The club is convinced that it is within its rights. “We won on the ground, we will also win the administrative battle,” adds Moncef Azzoune. The club is expected to be summoned within the next seven days.
