RED STAR-PARIS FC, 5/3/79
By Gérard Valck
On the 5th March 1978, Red Star, joint leaders with Lille (32 points) welcomed another promotion candidate Paris FC (thirty points with a game in hand). For the Audoniens, nothing else but a victory because the club is in turmoil. Since December 1977 the club is in liquidation and in case of missied promotion then it would be the end of professionalism at Saint-Ouen.
Before the match, with the two sets of supporters noisily occupying each end of the Stade Bauer, the tension mounts. Nearly six thousand are present to watch Monsieur Muchembled tonights' referee start the game. Paris FC kick towards the new stand, the match is set, a real cup match, derby match with promotion at stake as well as local pride.
Daniel Bourgeois, former midfielder turned defender knows the pitch well, having played for one season with Red Star before joining Paris FC. Despite a physical match with robust challenges, the referee keeps things flowing, doling out but one yellow card to Red Stars' Dubois for dissent.
After twenty-odd minutes, following an Izquierdo tackle, the Paris striker Zlataric limps off. The match becomes a midfield battle before a fortieth minute corner from Lech is headed on by Beltramini and Red Stars' goalkeeper Klimek claws the ball away only for the referee to award the goal to Paris. Twenty one years on, and it is still impossible to say if the ball crossed the line or not. One supporter obviously thinks not and proceeds to climb the fence to remonstrate with the official before being dragged away.
The Red Star supporters smell a rat. A plot to kill off Red Star in order to advance Paris FC (Monsieur Chirac was at that time Mayor of Paris)
In the second half following words from coach Roger Lemerre, Red Star stepped up the pressure. However it was not to be Red Stars' day, despite the endevours of Lecornu, Bénouala, Jacobzack (top scorer with Kern, marking fourteen times each), Colney, Kern. Nothing was going to beat Charrier.
The defeat spelt the end for Red Star a few weeks later, whilst Paris FC went up with Lille.
Red Star : Klimek, Col, Madronnet, Dubois, Izquierdo, Amorfini, Jacobzack, Eo, Lecornu, Colney, Bénouala (Kern 50). Coach : Lemerre (now National Coach).
Paris FC : Charrier, Cenzato, Burdino, Bourgeois, Lefebvre, Dumot, Lech, Smérecki, Zlataric (Kaiser 24), Stéfanovic, Beltramini. Coach : Vicot.
Next day, in Division d'Honneur, Red Star went on to beat Paris FC 3-2 at the Porte de Montreuil.
Next page: Paris FC-Red Star 15/11/87
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