Ligue 2 relegation-battlers Annecy and Rodez have engaged in a war of words after the latter side’s final-day match in Bordeaux was suspended. On Friday night, 17th-placed Rodez were leading 1-0 at the Matmut-Atlantique when a Bordeaux fan physically assaulted the visitors’ goalscorer Lucas Buades. Given the severity of the situation, referee Nicolas Rainville interrupted and then cancelled the game.
The league authorities will convene on Monday to adjudicate and decide whether Bordeaux vs Rodez would be replayed or declared lost by Bordeaux. This very situation would play right in Rodez’s hands, considering the 17th-placed side would be declared winners and avoid a relegation down to National 1, to the detriment of 16th-placed Annecy. The Savoy side, who lost to Paris FC on Friday, have released a somewhat aggressive statement on Sunday. “Taking advantage of external events to reach safety, betraying football, is contrary to sporting ethics“, have declared Annecy president Sebastien Faraglia. “We would not accept Rodez to be given a default win, because it would be a most elaborate form of cheating.“
Faraglia doubled down on his comments by declaring FC Annecy would sue Rodez and request financial compensation, should the Savoy side be relegated. He even insinuated that Rodez had lied to the league authorities, presumably regarding the condition of Buades following the altercation.
On Sunday afternoon, Rodez replied to Annecy by calling their accusations of elaborate cheating a disgrace. “This statement is unacceptable. One can’t declare that on-pitch violence is unacceptable and criticise the victims of this very same violence all at the same time.” Rodez added they would retain the right to instigate judicial proceedings over Annecy’s statement.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
