Tuesday saw third tier action as Concarneau played out a 0-0 draw against AS Nancy in the Championnat National. However, the Breton side have accused Nancy of fielding a player who they allege as being suspended, left-back Lucas Pellegrini.
In a statement, Concarneau have said that they were “surprised by the participation of the Nancy player, Lucas Pellegrini in the game, while he was subject to a suspension as of Monday, March 27, 2023. We hope that the French Football Federation will study the case with the utmost attention.”
Pellegrini reportedly received three yellow cards in less than three months, including one during a match against Concarneau that was abandoned due to safety concerns on February 13. As a result, the disciplinary committee sanctioned him with a one-game suspension that was due to take effect on Monday, 27th March, one day before the Nancy-Concarneau match. However, Pellegrini appeared on the team sheet and played the entire game, apparently without anyone noticing the mistake.
However, L’Est Républican report that Nancy believe the player should have been allowed to play, as the match was replay of the original fixture that was abandoned in February. They argue that Lucas Pellegrini was available last night because it was a replay match, governed by Article 120 of the general regulations of the French Football Federation which gives the eligibility of players “at the date of the first match, in case of replay and the actual date of the match, in case of postponed match”.
A forfeited match for Nancy means that Concarneau would climb to second place at the expense of Red Star FC, who recently entered the top two following a Parisian derby win over Paris 13 Atletico (0-1).
The Championnat National table as of 28th March 2023
| Position | Club | Games Played | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martigues | 26 | 12 | 47 |
| 2 | Red Star FC | 26 | 16 | 45 |
| 3 | Concarneau | 26 | 11 | 44 |
| 4 | FC Versailles | 26 | 7 | 44 |
| 5 | Dunkerque | 26 | 10 | 43 |
GFFN | George Boxall
