Updated 30^th March 2009

BACK TO WINNING WAYS Red Star recorded their first win for new coach David Giguet when they beat bottom club Le Havre reserves 3-0 on Saturday. The goals came from Djamel Zahiri with a brace and Samuel Ojong, who has now scored in consecutive matches, the first Red Star player to do so this season. Red Star outplayed their opponents throughout the game, but still had to be grateful to goalkeeper Xavier Pinoteau for keeping them in thegame on a couple of occasions. Coach Giguet called the win a "ray of sunlight" and it proved to be a vital win as nearest rivals Racing and Pontivy both won. Jamel Zahiri celebrates one of his goals With Vincent Fourneuf back from suspension, Red Star shuffled his defence around from the one that leaked three goals in midweek at Orléans. Out went Ekwalla-Essaka, in came Fourneuf and Bilal Hammami whilst Ojong stepped back into the starting line up after a spell on the bench at Orléans. Yoann Delaneuville and Onana took their places as substitutes. During the game Hammami picked up a knock and had the leave the action whilst his replacement Jose NSeke fared no better, being carried off with what looked like a serious injury. In the end it proved to be an ankle injury which could mean the end of his season. CFA RESULTS Pontivy - Caen B : 2-1 Quimper - Orléans : 0-0 La Vitréenne - Plabennec : 0-1 LE HAVRE B - RED STAR FC 93 : 0-3 UJA - Racing : 0-1 Quevilly - Rouen : 1-1 Villemomble - Viry-Châtillon : 1-0 Guingamp B - Rennes B : 3-0 Paris SG B – Vitré : 2-0 Vitrés' wretched run of defeats continues and they have been well and truly sucked into the relegation dogfight. Apparently Le Havre reserves v Red Star constitutes a "high risk game" according to the FFF, so the game was played at Le Havres' first-team stadium rather than the usual reserves team ground. The stadium normally sees first division football and can hold 20 000 spectators, somewhat excessive for the 150 or so spectators gathered on Saturday afternoon. As per usual Red Star took a decent sized following and they encouraged the players throughout the game. The win is the first since the end of November 2008, and is the third time that Red Star have scored three goals in a game. It is also a boost for the beleagurered Red Star that has lost seven out of the last ten games since the win against Quimper. The latest defeat was a drab 3-1 loss in midweek, the only consolation being a late fightback in the game that saw Red Stars' goal scored by Samuel Ojong. Red Stars' next game is on Saturday at Bauer against Quevilly, one of the top clubs that drew on Saturday in the local derby against Rouen. Afterwards there are eight games remaining; Alfortville, Quimper, Pontivy and Viry-Châtillon away and La Vitréenne, Paris SG reserves, Guingamp reserves and Rennes reserves at home to conclude the season. Elsewhere at Red Star the under 18s failed to capitalise on their game in hand as they slumped 3-1 away at Paris FC. They now slip to six points behind leaders Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien. A photo special on the game at Paris FC is available on this site, see the home page. Photos of the win at Le Havre as well as the under 18s game are courtesy of Gilles Saillant. Red Stars' under 18s in action at Paris FC

Updated 24^th March 2009

YOANN OFF AS RED STAR DENIED THE DRAW Heroic Red Star under the guidance of new coach David Giguet turned in a much-improved performance against local rivals Villemomble on Saturday but still came away empty-handed. The referee made the task even more difficult for the bottom club by awarding a first-minute penalty to the visitors for what appeared to be no reason whatsoever. In any case Villemomble didn't waste the gift and Yoann Djidonou was beaten. This galvanized Red Star and led admirably by the hard-working Taïmmy Negreche Red Star fought their way back into the game. On eighteen minutes Negreche was fed by Zahiri and the Red Star striker drew sides level, scoring the first goal in open play since the 3-0 win over Quimper back at the end of November. From then on it was all Red Star, although Djidonou was called into action on several occasions. The turning point of the game came midway through the second period when Djidonou rushed out of his area to clear his lines. The referee again made an awful decision, sendng off the Benin international goalkeeper for handball outside of the penalty area. After the game Yoann claimed his innocent, insisting that he never used his arms or let the ball touch his hand. As Xavier Pinoteau replaced Yoann at the expense of striker Elysée MBanza, Achour sent the resulting free kick into the Red Star net. The defeat meas that Red Stay bottom of the league although Racing, Pontivy and Le Havre all lost too. Red Star started with a line-up much changed from the one that lost so miserably to Rouen in coach Ciccolinis' last game in charge. Jose NSeké, Nabile Yessad, Ludovic Fardin and Taïmmy Negreche started the game whilst on the bench Bilal Hammami made his comeback, although he didn't actually get into the action. Following his ending off at Rouen, Vincent Fourneuf has been handed a two-match suspension, so will sit out the midweek trip to Orléans. Franck Matingou could be in the reckoning for a place at Orléans after injury, which will give a much-needed boost to Red Star. Maxime Ongmakon limped out of the action on Saturday and could be doubtful for Wednesday. IMAGES FROM THE WEEKEND Taïmmy Negreche scores for Red Star photo © Jacques Martin Red Star show team spirit. photo © GT Valck CFA RESULTS Rouen - Le Havre B : 1-0 Plabennec - UJA : 2-1 Caen B - Paris SG B : 2-0 Vitré - Quimper : 1-1 Rennes B - Pontivy : 4-2 Viry-Châtillon - Guingamp B : 0-1 Orléans - La Vitréenne : 1-3 RED STAR FC 93 - VILLEMOMBLE : 1-2 OTHER RED STAR RESULTS. Red Stars' reserves were held to a 1-1 at home to Versailles. The visitors scored first but Red Star deservedly drew level through a Martial Onana penalty. The under 18s got back to winning ways, destroying local rivals Saint-Denis 5-1. Meanwhile the under 15s game at Le Blanc Mesnil was abandoned as some of the local youths from the nearby estates invaded the pitch. Red Star were leading 3-0 at the time. The under 13s bad run contines with a 3-1 reversal at leaders Paris Saint-Germain, but the ladies won 5-1. Red Stars' under 18s open the scoring Reserves action versus Versailles © Gilles Saillant OLD BOYS Red Stars' Old Boys XI were in action against their counterparts from Meaux in a game in the memory of former Red Star man Robert Pintenat. Plenty of goals but the visitors ran out 6-2 winners.

Updated 17^th March 2009

GIGUET IN THE HOT SEAT It's all change at the helm of the good ship Red Star following the departure of first-team coach François Cicclini. The new man in the hot seat whom will have the sizeable task of salvaging the vessel from shipwreck is current reserve team boss David Giguet, 35. David is a familiar face at the club, having been coach with the youth teams as well as the reserves over the past few seasons. His first game in charge will be the local derby against Villemomble on Saturday at Bauer (6pm CET) but he will be without the services of key defender Vincent Fourneuf, suspended, whilst big Franck Matingou, one of the rare rescruitment successes of the season is doubtful through injury. Also suspended will be Andy Dahmani. When we spoke to David, he commented that the absences will allow him to bring in players such as Christophe Haguy, José NSeke and Ludovic Fardin, all players with CFA experience but sidelined at the start of this season by the new regime. "We have to save Red Star and I need players that I can count on to take up the callenge" he went on to say. Meanwhile it is season over for midfielder Yacine Ayad, not a very happy one given the plight of the club as well as his own disciplinary record. New Red Star coach David Giguet David will be ably assisted by popular under 18s coach and sometime first team player Sébastien Robert, "Seb" has had a good season so far with his youngsters, flirting with the top spots of the championship as well as a rather enjoyable Gambardella Cup run. Seb is also 35 and this could be one of Red Stars' youngest coaching partnerships for many a season. AllezRedStar wish both men lots of success in their new roles. Note also that Sébastien will continue as under 18s coach. Sébastien Robert in action recently against Racing Making a return to Red Star is Patrice Lecornu, whom was most notably in charge of Red Stars' youth academy in the 1990s, producing players of the calibre of Marlet, Agasson, Mauricio, Valéri, Fellahi, Fadiga, Itandje, Meïte. Patrice was formerly a player with Red Star (76-78 and 84-85) and even had a short spell as caretaker coach during the season 89-90. He was also capped by his country and featured at Angers and Nantes where his playing days were curtailed by a serious injury. Patrice will be the new Sporting Director at Red Star FC 93. He links up with former colleague François Gil, now advisor to youth team matters. Patrice Lecornu, left, pictured with another ex-Red Star man Jean-Pierre Colney © Gilles Saillant OTHER NEWS Red Stars' third XI thumped Sevran 6-0 in the Coupe du 93. A good news is that defender Bilal Hammami made his return from injury, playing for one hour in the game. Meanwhile Red Stars' ladies XI had a fine 7-3 win over Montigny-les-Cormeilles.

Updated 16^th March 2009

810 MINUTES Yes, nine matches, and no goals from open play since the 3-0 home win over Quimper back at the end of November 2008. Three goalless draws and six pitiful defeats are the basic facts. Even in the dreadful days of the 2002-2003 season when Red Star were relegated from the CFA 2 affairs weren't as dire as they are now. That season Red Star went four games without scoring. Since the last news update and the "reserves" XI 3-1 win in the Coupe de Paris, Red Star have lost two more games, the first a 2-0 defeat at neighbours Racing, the second being a horrible 4-0 home defeat to promotion candidates Rouen. Worse, in both games Red Star finished the encounters with ten men - against Racing Andy Dahmani was shown a red card and against Rouen influential defender Vincent Fourneuf was adjudged to have been the last defender as a Rouen player broke through. This after only fifteen minutes play, with immense consequences to the rest of the game. As affairs degenerated two glass bottles were thrown from the crowd on to the playing area, incurring the ire of the fourth official, and worst still there was no PA system available so that a crowd appeal could be passed. With a suspended sentence already hanging over the head of Red Star for events earlier this season, a possible deduction of points could be on the cards, the last thing Red Star need in a battle against relegation. We received a mail from a supporter disgusted also at the heavy-handed approach at the end of the game when it appears that the Police were called to prevent any incidents. Overnight, the walls of Stade Bauer were covered in graffiti, mostly claiming the departure of furrowed first-team coach François Ciccolini. Some of the more unpleasant messages fortunately had been painted over by the morning. Five wins, thirteen goals scored in twenty two games is not good enough, but curiously enough Red Star still have the best defensive record in the league, although if they keep shipping six goals in two games then that won't last long either. CFA RESULTS Paris SG B - Rennes B : 1-3 Quimper - Caen B : 1-1 UJA - Orléans : 2-1 Quevilly - Plabennec : 3-0 La Vitréenne - Vitré : 1-0 Le Havre B - Racing : 0-0 Villemomble - Guingamp B : 1-0 Pontivy - Viry-Châtillon : 1-0 RED STAR FC 93 – ROUEN : 0-4 THE NEWS IN PHOTOS Yoann Delaneuville, back from injury as were Amadou Diagouraga and Taïmmy Negreche Yoann Philippe, Red Star under 18s captain. The youngsters lost 2-0 at home to Antony © Gilles Saillant Racing score their second goal through Malcuit NEXT UP Red Star are at home again next weekend in the derby game against Villemomble. Prior to the game there is a match between Red Stars' old boys XI and their counterparts from Meaux, a match in the memory of former Red Star man Robert Pintenat.

Updated 6^th March 2009

CUP WIN. Red Star progressed through to the next round of hte Coupe de Paris with a fine 3-1 home win over Les Ulis at Stade Bauer on Wednesday evening. The goal scorers were Elysée Mbanza (2) and Nabile Yessad. Photos of the game are available here : . Bravo to coach Giguets' men. The draw has already been made for the next round and Red Star have been awarded another home game, this time at home to Garges. Back in the season 2005-2009 Red Star beat Garges 5-2 away in a Coupe de France game: . . On that day the goalscorers were Doumbya (11 & 85) Yessad (32), N'Simba (76), Baldé (92, pen) The full draw for the cup is as follows: RED STAR – GARGES UJA – BRETIGNY LEVALLOIS – NOISY-LE-SEC SAINT-OUEN L’AUMONE – PARIS SG IVRY – ISSY ARARAT ENTENTE SSG – MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX LA GARENNE COLOMBES – VILLE D’EVRY FC ISSY – LE BLANC-MESNIL Some big sides left in the cup this season - note the absence of last years' winners Poissy. Elysée MBanza in action against Les Ulis (photo Jacques Martin) THIS WEEKEND. Red Star travel the short distance to play Racing CP 92, whom they beat 3-1 earlier this season at Bauer. A vital match for both sides as they struggle to get away from the wrong end of the table. Note that the game takes place at Stade Choine, adjacent to the former Olympic stadium at Colombes. Ludovic Willems is the referee, assisted by Yann Billaux & Stéphane Panont. Fourth official : René Gaudin Le stade du Choine ALSO THIS WEEKEND. Red Stars' under 18s travel to Villemomble, third in the table, Sunday at 1-30 pm CET. CFA MATCHES RACING - RED STAR FC 93 Plabennec - Le Havre B Vitré - UJA Viry-Châtillon - Paris SG B Rennes B - Quimper Guingamp B - Pontivy Caen B - La Vitréenne Rouen - Villemomble Orléans - Quevilly

Updated 4^th March 2009

WOEFUL Red Stars' dreadful run continues with a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Viry-Châtillon last Saturday. The goal was scored by former Red Star man Walid Aïchour. At the end of the game Red Star were booed off the pith by their increasingly disgruntled supporters and after the game messages came pouring into this site expressing the feelings of the supporters. After the final whistle one (nameless) Red Star player went over to the supporters and started to remonstrate with the fans. As passions ran high, he had to be hauled away by a team-mate. Red Stars' first home defeat of the season means that they are now two points behind Guingamp with a game in hand. Next championship game is on Saturday away at local rivals Racing, who are just below Red Star in the table. A vital match for both sides, although Red Star did win the game at Bauer earier on in the season. In between, Red Star entertain Les Ulis this evening in a Coupe de Paris game. Les Ulis play in the same division as Red Stars' reserves, whom appear to have hit a winning run at the moment. Last Sunday saw a championship game between the two sides, and Les Ulis' unbeaten record came unstuck as Amadou NDiaye and Elysée MBanza scored the goals in a fine 2-0 away win. For MBanza this is the third consecutive game in which he has found the net. For tonights' cup encounter, Red Star are likely to field a side similar to the one that won on Sunday. Meanwhile Red Stars' under 18s bounced back from the Gambardella Cup disappointment by thumping ACBB 4-0 away. The third XI came back from being 2-1 down at Espérance 19ème to win 3-2, vital for their promotion push. CFA RESULTS FROM THE WEEKEND RED STAR – VIRY-CHATILLON : 0-1 VITRE – ORLEANS : 2-6 RACING – PLABENNEC : 1-2 PARIS SG – QUEVILLY : 1-0 QUIMPER – UJA : 2-1 Walïd Aïchours' goal © GT Valck Amadou NDiaye, reserves goalscorer The Under 18s celebrate a goal © Rémi Saillant

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