Despite the league and broadcaster’s agreement, Sochaux had rejected Caen’s proposal, sparking outrage on social media.
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Lmeeting the 19e Ligue 2 day between Sochaux and Caen, which the Doubistes did not want to postpone to allow the Norman coach to attend his wife’s funeral, was finally brought forward to January 20, the LFP announced on Thursday January 12. “At the request of Stade Malherbe Caen and in agreement with the beIN Sports broadcaster and FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, the FC Sochaux-Montbéliard-Stade Malherbe Caen meeting has been postponed to Friday January 20 at 6:30 p.m. “, specified the League. in his press release.
Caen had previously requested in vain that the meeting scheduled for Saturday January 21 be brought forward to Friday, or postponed to Sunday or Monday, due to the death on Wednesday of Armelle Moulin, the wife of Stéphane Moulin. “At this moment of great pain, the LFP sends its most sincere condolences to Stéphane Moulin, his family, his loved ones, as well as to the whole Stade Malherbe Caen”, adds the League, especially thanking the broadcaster who was accommodating.
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard refused to postpone its match of the 19e Ligue 2 day against Caen scheduled for Saturday, the day of the funeral of the wife of the Norman club coach, a decision which aroused indignant reactions. Caen had requested that the meeting be brought forward to Friday due to the death on Wednesday of Armelle Moulin, the wife of Stade Malherbe coach Stéphane Moulin. He had been absent since the resumption at the end of December to stay at the bedside of his seriously ill wife. It was his deputy Patrice Sauvaget who was acting.
In a press release, Sochaux said it regretted not being able to accede favorably to this request and justified its decision by too great a difficulty of reorganization. “Faced with the need to very quickly have to agree on a new program and in view of what this entails in terms of organization (and in particular the difficulty in mobilizing the appropriate control and security personnel), (Sochaux) has unfortunately had to resolve to have the match played” Saturday at 3 p.m., the club justifies itself.
“Pathetic behavior”
For their part, the Professional Football League (LFP) and the broadcaster beIN Sports had agreed to a postponement. According to France Bleu Normandie, three postponement dates had been proposed by the LFP, but “all were refused by Sochaux”. The Sochaux club also adds that its general manager, Samuel Laurent, “discussed this subject with Olivier Pickeu”, the president of Caen, to offer him “that a minute of silence in memory” of Armelle Moulin be observed. at the Bonal stadium before kick-off.
READ ALSO“Not living the emotions in football is a mistake” On social networks, many Internet users have expressed their indignation. “Football is first and foremost a game. Clubs are families. Unfortunately, as long as some forget it, we will continue to see pathetic behavior ”, reacted in particular in a tweet Pierre-Antoine Capton, co-owner of the Norman club. Before the 19e Ligue 2 day, Sochaux is 3rde in the standings and therefore a candidate for the rise in Ligue 1. SM Caen occupies eighth place.