This weekend marks the much-anticipated 32es de finale of the Coupe de France, where football enthusiasts will witness exciting matchups as teams from various tiers not only compete for glory but also honor the memory of victims of the recent cyclone Chido. Scheduled for December 20-22, 2024, these matches promise to deliver dramatic encounters.
The changes to the scheduling of these knockout rounds have raised eyebrows, particularly as clubs from Ligue 1 step onto the pitch against lower-tier teams. "Les deux dernières journées de la nouvelle Ligue des champions étant placées en janvier en milieu de semaine, nous n'avions aucune latitude pour les 16es," explained Christophe Drouvroy, the Director of National Competitions at FFF, shedding light on why these matches occur before the holiday season. With Champions League commitments looming, the FFF needed to streamline its organization to avoid logistical pitfalls.
This year sees the presence of underdog clubs like Entente Feignies-Aulnoye FC and RC Saint-Joseph, set to clash with historical giants and heap excitement on the festive season. Fans can only expect thrilling performances as lower league teams clash with elite clubs. The Entente Feignies-Aulnoye will host Olympique Lyonnais at Stade du Hainaut, slated for Saturday, December 21, at 18h. Over 12,000 seats are sold, indicating significant support for this amateur side as they step up to the challenge.
Another significant match this weekend features AS Saint-Étienne facing Olympique de Marseille. A decree issued by the Ministry of the Interior prohibits Marseille fans from traveling to the game due to anticipated safety concerns, ensuring this local rivalry isn't marred by fan conflicts—an unfortunate reflection on the current climate surrounding French football.
Beyond fan rivalries, the match weekend holds poignant significances such as observing one minute of silence for the cyclone victims from Mayotte, who suffered tremendously during the storm. "Une minute de silence sera observée lors des rencontres des 32es de finale de la Coupe de France," stated the FFF, indicating widespread solidarity among teams participating.
Interestingly, the competition also showcases ultramarine clubs, including Racing Club Saint-Joseph from Martinique, who will play SC Bastia on Friday. The rules necessitate these teams to play matches on the mainland from this round onwards. Vice-President of the FC Saint-Denis, Younoussa Abdihali, remarked, "Il faut que les clubs d’outre-mer soient traités équitablement," calling for fair treatment for clubs traveling great distances. The requirement for these teams to fly to France not only adds financial strain but also impacts their performance due to temperature and time zone changes.
The FFF ensures coverage of transportation costs for ultramarine teams, which helps alleviate the financial burden somewhat. This year, costs have reached approximately 70,000 euros for Saint-Joseph. While this assistance is welcomed, clubs are still seeking to raise additional funds through online campaigns to cover remaining expenditures.
Match broadcasts are facilitated via beIN Sports and France 3, with multiplexing options available for fans eager to catch multiple games simultaneously. This collaboration sees coverage across several platforms and the opportunity for regional broadcasting, ensuring fans nationwide can partake without missing out on the action.
Among other matches, the clash between Racing Club Calais and RC Strasbourg is scheduled for Friday evening. Viewing schedules indicate simultaneous broadcasts, reflecting the large interest surrounding these knockout rounds. The varied competitions pending—from the opening fixtures to the eventual thrilling finals—offer unique narratives: the survivors, the underdogs, and the revered foes, all converging on the pitch to etch their stories on the storied history of the Coupe de France.
This year's 32es de finale stands to be memorable not just for its competitive spirit but also for the emotional tributes and the drive for fair play and institution of equity for teams across the board, transcending classifications, geographical locations, and levels of play. With fervent anticipation, fans, players, and clubs alike are set for memorable encounters.
