Rise of FC Metz and the Bordeaux-Rodez Controversy: A Deep Dive into the Latest Football Controversy

With hindsight, the discrepancy has not lost its force. The Saint-Symphorien stadium experienced a suspended moment on Friday June 2 when, at the final whistle of Metz-Bastia, the supporters invaded the field to celebrate the heroes of the comeback in a memorable communion. Without reservation and without a shadow of a doubt. And yet… A week and wheelbarrows later, this accession has still not been finalized and the debates have moved to Paris, passing of course through Bordeaux, Rodez and Annecy… Another suspended moment, in short.

FC Metz knew how steep the path to Ligue 1 would be in this season with two climbs, but they could not for a moment imagine the disorder that awaited them on arrival. He did his part of the job by beating Bastia (3-2) to reach 72 points, but this famous destiny of which he was master slipped from his hands when a Bordeaux supporter decided to use his to interrupt the celebration of goal from Lucas Buades, the Rodez striker, entering the playing area. With the consequences that we know: game stopped, classification frozen and entry of the disciplinary committee into the dance. For once, the musicians were not paid at the end of the ball…

The Bordeaux-Rodez file has been the subject of an investigation, the conclusions of which will be delivered on Monday with a first package of highly anticipated decisions. Several possibilities are on the table: withdrawal of point(s) for Bordeaux for lack of security, match to be replayed, victory on green carpet for Rodez… Needless to say that two collateral victims of these procrastination will monitor the affair closely. FC Metz considering themselves a legitimate promoter and Annecy fearing an unfair relegation, since their direct competitor, Rodez, only played 22 minutes in Bordeaux (0-1). Delicious Ligue 2 without head or tail.

The Buades case

However, we must stop on the incriminated sequence at the Matmut Atlantique stadium. A “masquerade” seen from Annecy. If the images, which have been widely circulated, do not reflect an act of incredible violence behind the “push”, it is now possible to wonder about the seriousness of Lucas Buades’ injuries. There was first talk of a concussion but, according to his lawyer, it was much worse! What is Karine Shebabo? evokes neither more nor less than “a laryngeal trauma”. “He fell on his left temple and there was traumatic amnesia,” adds the counsel, referring to “a homemade or agricultural bomb that fell next to him.” However, a medical examiner found no lesions and the player was not hospitalized. Hence the trial in “elaborate cheating” instructed by Annecy or “the scandal” denounced by the Bordelais Clément Michelin.

The only certainty for the time being: the original problem remains this intrusion of the Girondin supporter and his gesture. The culprit is also a restaurant owner… in Annecy. Damn karma, right?

The affect of mayors

The case is there today. Waiting and vague. And each camp went there of its small declaration. Gérard Lopez, the Girondin president, has already made it known that he would use all the remedies. The RAF have threatened to file a complaint against FC Annecy for their allegations. And Bernard Serin, the Messin boss, takes refuge behind “case law” which, he does not budge, will serve the Moselle cause.

The politicians took over. The mayors of Bordeaux and Annecy thus pleaded for “a match to be replayed” in a joint letter addressed to Amélie Oudéa-Castera. This initiative stimulated the pen of François Grosdidier, the city councilor of Messin, who denounced “interference and an attempt at pressure”. As for the Minister of Sports, she kicked into touch, inviting the two elected officials to “defer to the sports authorities competent in disciplinary matters. A logical position: she was not going to add interference to interference.

In short, we will find out this Monday but it will probably not be over. Extensions are inevitable in the field of procedures.