Annecy accuse Rodez of cheating and call for expanded Ligue 2 next season | OneFootball

After the league authorities’ ruling that the suspended Bordeaux-Rodez match on the Ligue 2 final day would not be replayed, Annecy have released an explosive statement this afternoon to rally against a decision which sends them down to the third tier.

The match, which was called off after a Bordeaux ultra ran onto the pitch to push opposition goalscorer Lucas Buades, had ramifications at both ends of the table. The result dashed the home side’s hopes of promotion, while the fact that Rodez have been awarded the win has secured their Ligue 2 status at Annecy’s expense.

This afternoon’s statement is the latest chapter in a bitter feud between the Savoy club and Rodez. Annecy notably highlight the fact that their relegation from the second tier was down to circumstances which were out of their hands. Sensationally, the club goes on to accuse Buades of feigning the injury in order to end the match early while his team were ahead in order to secure safety, with the support of the club’s upper management.

Annecy go on to point out that the end-of-season table has yet to be finalised, and that they consider themselves to still be in Ligue 2, pending the Competitions Commission’s decree. The team adds that they have begun consulting with their legal team over further action, including appeals with the various governing bodies of French sport (Bordeaux have also sent an appeal to the French Olympic Committee) and a legal complaint over “sporting corruption” against Buades and Annecy.

They conclude by calling for a potential resolution to the conflict by expanding next season’s Ligue 2 to 21 teams, and that the squad will be proceeding this summer as though they are still in the second division.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin