CHANGE OF DIRECTION. Lots of pastures new for Red Star reserves. Not only Christophe Fiatte, new coach, but instead of playing in the northern group of CFA2, the reserves have been placed in the east. In group B, the Audoniens will meet Auxerre (c), Blénod, Châlons-en-Champagne, Chantilly, Chaumont, Créteil (b), Ivry, La Chapelle-Luc, Sénart-Moissy, Poissy, Paris SG (c), Saint-Dizier, Senlis, Tinqueux, Toul. First match the weekend of 19th August.
NO DEFECTIONS TO PSG. The departure of Patrice Lecornu to PSG, where he will be Youth Development officer, will not mean an exodus of young Red Star talent.
Updated 28th June DETAILS OF RED STAR TRAINING SESSIONS FROM JUNE 30TH TO JULY 8TH (Parc des sports de Marville):
KICK-OFF TIMES. Red Star 93 have demanded permission from the FFF to play their Saturday matches at 6pm CET. Opinions are divided amongst this site's readership: Jean-Luc perfers to keep 8pm CET, as does Guy "At 6pm CET it would be impossible to get to another match in the afternoon". Olivier, "I work Saturdays and finish at 7pm CET, therefore if Red Star play at six, yet another spectator would be lost to Red Star. Before taking a decision, the club should carry out a survey amongst the crowd during the first few home games." Others, such as Christophe prefer 6pm, "Perfect, so that I can go out after the game", an opinion echoed by François, "6pm I'm all for, because after the match I can get home and watch a game on TV". Not easy to please everyone, above all in Paris. Keep sending your verdicts to : redstar189@aol.com
PHILIPPE TROUSSIER. In reply to Pascal, Philippe Troussier coached Red Star 93 for two seasons in D3 (87-88 & 88-89).
Updated 27th June BACK TO WORK SOON. In four days over twenty players will turn up back for training at La Courneuve. Following eight days training, there will be the first match of the season, a friendly at Chevrières on the 8th of July versus Beauvais (D2). Two days later Red Star have a five-day course at Lésigny, which was the base of the Brazilians during the World Cup 1998. Updated 26th June RUDY PERRON FOR RED STAR ? Guingamp defender Rudy Perron is linked with a move to Red Star 93. Updated 23rd June RED STAR 93 - VERSION 2000-2001. With only one week remaining before the players return to training, the squad for the forthcoming season is: Updated 22nd June THINGS START TO HOT UP ! Just as it appeared that Racings' prolific striker Patrick Van Kets (see photo) had decided to continue his adventure with the "Penguins", the financial clout of Red Star 93 lured him to Marville. Potentially a powerful National striking force of the Irishman Cascarino alongside the Belgian Van Kets. The signing of the latter provoke the wrath of Racing chief Gilles Duma - "We messed up, because he should have re-signed one month ago". Their loss, our gain... Updated 21st June PATRICK VAN KETS. Patrick Van Kets, Racing Paris' top marksman, has signed a two-year deal with Red Star 93. Born Duffel, Belgium on the 12th December 1966, Patrick (1.82 m, 78 kg) will form a formidable attacking partnership with Tony Cascarino. This arrival means that Richard Akiana leaves to join D2 outfit Wasquehal, replacing Valenciennes-bound Emmanuel Clément-Demange. Another Red Star arrival is Kamel Ouejdide, born 1st May 1980 in Rabat Morocco. Kamel joins on a one-year loan period from Stade Malherbe Caen (D2). Updated 19th June PATRICE LECORNU.
Patrice Lecornu has joined Paris Saint-Germain. After sixteen years with Red Star 93, Patrice explained to us why he has taken this decision. Updated 14th June BLAISE MAMOUN. The on-loan midfielder from Saint-Etienne could be on his way next season to National rivals Valence. Updated 13th June Sorry for the absence of news these last few days - even we get the chance to take a couple of days holidays !
IN AND AROUND THE PARIS CLUBS.Things are relatively calm at Noisy-le-Sec for the moment; leaving are Souloy (Paris FC), Emery, ex-Red Star (Les Lilas), Robert the goalscorer to Racing, Benamara (Aubervilliers). Arriving are Welfringer (Le Perreux), Taine (Levallois), Piffre (Gaillard), Kessi and Diop (Montreuil). At Racing CP, there is a revolution in process, with Van Kets (Red Star 93), Akoum & Laurent (Reims), Ben Ahmed (Paris FC), Coquio (Saint-Lô), Pupovac (Levallois), Berhil (Colombienne) and Saxemard all taking the route away from Colombes, whilst no less than thirteen players have joined the club; Dutuel (Bellinzonne D2 Switzerland), Dukanovic (Mögren D1 Yugoslavia), M. Poisson (Nîmes), Elbaï (Niort), A. Tanguy (Caen), Dicanot (Martigues), Robert (Noisy-le-Sec), Colacicco (Grenoble), Bertrand (Rouen), Jean-Elie (Chong King Hongyang D1 China), Marguerite (Louhans-Cuiseaux), Loiselet (Nantes), Mocka (free agent).
FIXTURE LIST. Up to press, the fixture list for the National season 2000-2001 has not yet appeared.
GUENAEL LE MAUX SIGNS. Auxerre striker Guénaël Le Maux has signed a two-year contract with Red Star 93. Originally with Pontivy, Le Maux signed with Auxerre in 1998, and in his first season played two matches in D1 under coach Guy Roux. Born 19th January 1973 in Loudéac (1,79m - 72 kg).
VAN KETS. Gilles Dumas, President of Racing CP has stated his intention to pursue the "Van Kets Affair" via the courts. Whatever, the deal still stands and Van Kets is a Red Star player now.
DEPARTURE. Ribeiro, under-17 player with Red Star has signed with the Youth Academy at Le Havre (D2).
PARTNERSHIPS. The district of Seine Saint-Denis, perhaps the most active football-wise of all the Paris region, has not gone un-noticed by the big clubs. Red Star have partnership arrangements with seventeen clubs in the area, now Auxerre have struck up a deal with Romainville, Paris SG with Villepinte and now Le Havre have joined with Blanc-Mesnil.
FRIENDLY. On July 22nd, Red Star 93 are at home to Amiens at Marville (6pm CET).
Goalkeepers : Jean-Marc Branger - Gilbert Bayiha.
Defence : Camille Oponga - Olivier Saragaglia (Grenoble) - Brahim Thiam - Mickaël Tacalfred - Ibrahima Faye (Dakar, Sénégal) - Fabrice Mary - Morad El Othmani.
Midfield : Damien Deom - Antony Sirufo - Fousseni Diawara - Mickaël Pizzo - Franck Busuttil (free agent) - Kalu N'Goma (Viry-Châtillon).
Attack : Patrick Van Kets (Racing) - Tony Cascarino (Nancy) - Hakim Saci
- Mickaël Serreau (ex-Toulouse, see photo) - Gérald Milton - Kamal Ouejdide (Caen) - Djebrane Abda.
Coaches: Pierre Repellini & Jean-Luc Girard.
Goalkeeping coach : Régis Roch.
The first training session is arranged for Friday June 30th, 10am CET at the Parc des Sports de Marville, followed by an afternoon seesion at 4-30pm CET. Then there will be two sessions a day until July 6th. On the 7th there will be only the afternoon session. First friendly match is away at Beauvais on the 8th, 6pm CET.
KARIM FELLAHI. Karim Fellahi has finally signed at Saint-Etienne, a deal for three years. They are back in training today.
PHILIPPE TROUSSIER. Ex-Red Star 93 coach has decided to extend his contract with the Japanese national team, turning down an offer from Tukish club Galatasaray.
Arriving at the same time, but making a somewhat quieter entrance is a young Caen striker Kamal Ouejdide (20), 1,83 m - 77 kg.
PATRICK VAN KETS. Patrick Van Kets, born on December 12th 1966 in Duffel, Belgium. Clubs have included R.C. Malines, Saint-Trond and Beerchot Antwerp in Belgium. Van Kets tried his luck in France seven years ago, with Le Mans (D2), Niort (D2) before joining Jean-Michel Cavallis' sucessful GFCO Ajaccio (National). He left the Cosricans for Paris and Racing Club, and normally would have linked up once again with former boss Cavalli, recently installed in the hot seat at Colombes but for the intervention of Messrs Bras and Moulin.
RICHARD AKIANA. After ten monthe in the colours of Red Star, with fourteen league goals plus several more in the Cups, Richard Akiana is off to pastures new with D2 club Wasquehal.
WIN A SIGNED T-SHIRT. During season 90-91, Red Star 93, having been reinstated into D2 got the season off to a flying start by winning six consecutive matches. In one of these games, they faced a player currently representing France in the European Championships 2000. The first person to name this player will win a Centenary t-shirt signed by Karim Fellahi and Brahim Thiam. Send your replies to : redstar189@aol.com.
KHALILOU FADIGA. Senegal international, currently at Bruges is in demand. Metz and Lens both are chasing the 26-year old, who learned his trade as a youngster with Red Star (see photo).
KADER FERHAOUI. Kader Ferhaoui will not be joining Red Star 93, President Jean-Claude Bras will not accept the indecision of the ex-Saint-Etienne player. Now Ferhaoui is in contact with Nîmes (D2).
CONTACT. Red Star 93 have had talks with Auxerres' 27-year old CFA striker Guénaël Le Maux. The former Pontivy man demanded too high a salary and the deal fell through.
CFA 2. The championship kicks off mid-August. Early matches should be played at the Stade Pablo Néruda, Saint-Ouen, with a possible return to the Stade Bauer anticipated.
"An opportunity presented itself recently, when PSG contacted me. It was difficult to say no to a proposition which may not come around again for a long time. President Jean-Claude Bras understands and I leave the club on good terms, and that is important."
More to follow on Patrices' departure, but we wish him well and thank him for his help with the site, made possible by his open easy-going attitude.
CHRISTOPHE FIATTE. Christophe Fiatte will take over the reins of the second team, and becomes responsible for tomorrows' professionals in the CFA2.
COUPE DE PARIS. Following their excellent cup run, the Red Star under-17s' went down 1-0 in the final of the Coupe de Paris to Villepinte. A last minute goal was sufficient to kill off Red Stars' hopes.
STEVE MARLET MOVES TO LYON. Steve Marlet has joined Olympique Lyonnais, signing a four-year deal. He chose Champions' League qualifiers Lyon ahead of English D1 outfit Fulham, managed by Jean Tigana.
ABDOULAYE MEITE. Abdoulaye Meïté, recent Red Star departure to Marseille, should be farmed out on-loan from the southern outfit to neighbours Martigues, newly promoted to D2.
SHIT GROUND, TWO TEAMS. Noisy-le-Sec are investigating the possibilty of ground-sharing Marville with Red Star 93 as their old stadium no longer meets with league standards.
SIX OR EIGHT ? For next season would you prefer to have Saturday evening kick-offs at 6pm or 8pm CET ? Opinions to : redstar189@aol.com
MOVEMENTS. More new faces are expected at Red Star in the next few days.
PHILIPPE TROUSSIER. Former Red Star 93 coach, currently in charge of the Japan national squad, is currently negociating with bosses at UEFA cup winners Galatasaray of Turkey.
BRITTANY TOURNAMENT. The third XI of Christophe Fiatte including several luminaries from CFA 2 won a recent tournament in Brittany, beating off stiff competition from Paris SG, Lorient, Beauvais....
PETIT LOUIS. Claude Goya is recovering well following his hip replacement operation. He should be out of hospital within a few days.
SO CLOSE BUT SO FAR. The under-17's made their bow from the national competition, going down 4-1 to a very strong Lyon side by 4-1 in the semi-finals. Lyons' goals were scored by Viale (42, 54, 80), Cauaretta (86), Red Star replying through Sylla (70). LYON : Leca, Truchet, Sartre, Genevier, Rodrigues, Genet, Mozini (Cauaretta, 72), Hauw, Viale, Alioui (Pailot, 88), Barralon (Bergounioux, 82). RED STAR 93 : Itandje, Dias-Gomes (Da Silva, 86), Gregbo, Bertin, Agoh, Ribeiro, Hamme (Diawara, 86), Malfleury, Gomes, Paass (Sylla, 65), Fofana. In the previous round, Red Star had eliminated Châteauroux 3-1, with goals from Hamme (13), Sylla (37), Paass (80). RED STAR 93: Itandje, Dias-Gomes, Gregbo, Bertin, Agoh (Da Silva, 88), Ribeiro, Hamme, Malfleury, Gomes, Paass, Fofana (Sylla, 35). Lyon will face Caen in the final, who inceidentally finished behind Red Star in their group.
OUT WITH A WIN. Christophe Fiatte ended his season on a high note as the third XI beat Champigny 3-1 at Marville. In September they face a tougher test in the DSR, a higher division. Mickaël Rangdet finished top scorer with 22 goals.
TRANSFERT. Abdoulaye Meïté has finally signed with Marseille; a figure of five million francs has been mentioned. Vincent Doukantie has left for Strasbourg; on the other hand still no final signature for Karim Fellahi at Saint-Etienne. Watch this space for exclusive details on any movements. Fabien Valéri is on his way out; Camille Oponga following approaches from Beauvais (D2) is in negotiations with Sedan (D1). Akim Saci, recently capped by Algeria is in contact with a Spanish club.
Arrivals include Cascarino (Nancy), Serreau (ex-Toulouse), N'Goma (Viry-Châtillon), Busittil (free agent) together with Faye (Senegal), Saraglia (Grenoble). Kader Ferhaoui, at the end of his contract with Saint-Etienne, aged 35, is also linked, as is young Caen striker Kamel Ouejdide.
PATRICE LECORNU. Patrice Lecornu, youth development officer at Red Star is also on the way to pastures new - after sixteen years at Red Star including two as a player, Patrice is on his way to Paris Saint-Germain. No doubt some of his proteges could follow in his footsteps. His successor is likely to be Alain Bornand, coach of the sucessful under-17's.
BUDGET. Last week Jean-Claude Bras declared "The clubs' budget will be 22 MF instead of au 15 MF, last season. Contrary to certain opinions, we have not waited to sell players before recruiting and new faces will arrive when we go back to training. I'm putting on pressure, because our aim is to return to D2."