FC Sochaux Montbéliard have been handed an administrative relegation to third-tier National 1 by the DNCG. Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion, French’s football financial watchdog, have rejected the Ligue 2 side’s appeal following their decision last month to strip Sochaux of their second-tier status. The Doubs outfit, owned by the Nenking Group, were sanctioned due to their financial struggles for two seasons now. The Chinese conglomerate have not provided the €10m necessary to save the club.
More bad news could be looming for Sochaux. Should the 2007 Coupe de France winners fail to present a viable budget for the third tier, which is unlikely, Sochaux would fall even further down French football’s food chain. L’Équipe understand that Sochaux are expected to be demoted down to National 3, the fifth-tier, in the event of bankruptcy. It remains to be seen which club would replace Sochaux for next season’s Ligue 2 now. Annecy, as the last relegated club in National 1, have already jumped the gun and declared they would remain in the second tier.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
