MICKAEL NATCHIMIE JOINS SEDAN. Red Stars' young defender yesterday signed a two year deal with first division outfit Sedan. Elsewhere at teh club, still having trials is 28-years old Finnish midfielder Andersson, as well as ex-Red Star man Farès Bourdache, latterly at Evry and Romorantin (CFA); Christophe David Saada a striker with Les Lilas (CFA), aged 25 and defender Chris Assignaney, 23, also from Les Lilas. No definite decisions have yet been takes.
Meanwhile, departure-wise, Olivier Saragaglia still awaits a decision on his future, Emmanuel Hutteau still hasn't signed with Rouen (CFA); Branger, Van Kets and Pizzo are also still in the dark.
On the coaching front, still no decision either, but a possibility is Repellini – Girard. The former has been very quiet on the subject, which he normally isn't. One thing is sure, and that is goalkeeping coach Régis Roch will leave the club, as will Managing Director Michel Moulin. Photo : Régis Roch, left, alongside Robert Herbin, Pierre Repellini and Christian Duraincie, Stade Bauer, 1992.
Another youngster leaving the ship is JIMMY HAMME, playmaker for the Under 17s, who has chosen second division Châteauroux.
SAMUEL MICHEL JOINS NIORT. After two and a half season at Guingamp, D1, former Red Star striker has joined Niort (D2), coached by Philippe Hinschberger. Photo : Sami Michel, left, alongside former youth team boss Partice Lecornu
COUPE DE PARIS. The second semi-final of the Coupe de Paris takes place this evening, between Sannois-Saint-Gratien and Cosmo Taverny. The winner will play Red Star 93, at the Stade de Colombes. Date TBA.

GIVEAWAY. The Internet site of Guingamp, www.eaguingamp.com boast about their latest aquisition, Red Stars' Hakim Saci. They say that Red Stars' relegation and loss of professional status means that the Breton club can get their man for 0 F, and that Saci is happy to be leaving Red Star 93.
Meanwhile, another player on his way out of Red Star is the Belgian Patrick Van Kets, who is still under contract to the club. Camille Oponga is also leaving the club where he grew up, as is Walid Aïchour, linked with Istres (D2) and Manneheim (Germany D2). Mickaël Natchimie is in contact with Lorient (D1) and Yoann Randget avec Niort (D2), Saint-Etienne and Sedan (D1).
In the other direction, MORAD KOUKENE is linked with a move to Red Star. He played last season with Paris FC and has also featured with Levallois, Saint-Denis-Saint-Leu and Noisy-le-Sec.
ONE FOR HISTORY. Below is the last photo of the professional line-up of Red Star, taken on the 18th May 2001 before the Louhans game.

Front : Hutteau, Natchimie, Pizzo, Rangdet, Busuttil.
Back : Saragaglia, Perron, Richard, Van Kets, Serreau, Itandje.

SUNNING IT. Kader Ferhaoui was recently on TV, Pathé Sport brought us poctures of a Beach Soccer which took place in Thailand before the end of the season. This was supposed to be the man to save the club, brought in at great expense....
COUPE DE PARIS. Red Star (DSR), the third XI have made it through to the final of the Coupe de Paris, beating Lusitanos Saint-Maur in the semi-final 2-2 (1-2) and 4-3 on penalties.
BRAHIM THIAM AT THE BLACK STARS TOURNAMENT. Brahim took part in the final of this tournament againt Club Franciscain Martinique, along with Vincent Doukantie. Playing for the Black Stars was Cyril Domoraud, and they played Madagascar in the third place play-off.
UPS AND DOWNS. Lusitanos Saint-Maur, who will be promoted without their coach Noël Tosi who has left for D2 club Gueugnon, have been promoted to the National along with Boulogne. The other two places are taken by Sète and Angoulême.
Relegated from the CFA are : Armentières, Saint-Quentin, Hagueneau, Arles, Manosque, Porto-Vecchio, Rodez, Toulouse-Fontaines, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Plabennec, Caen and Saint-Malo. They will play in the CFA 2 next season 2001-2002.
BOOTED OUT ?. The DNCG, which monitors the finances of French football clubs has decided to relegate Cannes one more step into the CFA... they had been relegated into the National anyway, but they have made a loss of 8MF. Also under scrutiny are GFCO Ajaccio, who have been initially forced-relegated to the CFA, and Créteil (D2) also could be forced down one step into the National. Now, supposing that the relegations are made official, then Martigues would be handed a D2 lifeline, as would Valenciennes and Pacy-sur-Eure in the National. BUT, seeing as how these two clubs as well as Thouars are also experiencing grave financial difficulties, unlike Red Star who are in sound financial health, then who knows....?

LATEST TRANSFER NEWS. Last week we mentioned that a Red Star player was on the verge of signing a deal with a D2 club in the south... well, it can be revealed that Brahim Thiam has signed with newly-promoted Istres. Another ex-Red Star man might also be on his way there, Laurent Castro. As for Yoann Rangdet, the revelation of this season has been linked with Saint-Etienne (D2), and Lorient (D1) are also reportedly interested.
A departure from the club, as we announced exclusively yestarday is Hakim Saci who has joined Guingamp. He is 24 and has been with Red Star since 1995, and has played in D2 as well as the National.
In terms of arrivals at the club, no news, except that a Finnish defender Ville Andersson (28) formerly with a Helsinski club as well as Swedish outfit Enteoping is currently undergoing trials.
CFA (CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE AMATEUR). Here is a rough guide to Red Stars' new "home"...

• 72 clubs spread across four groups of eighteen
  
• Season kicks off - Saturday 11th August
• Only the top club progresses to the National. Should a National club non-relegated fail due to financial reason, then there are play-offs between the four second placed clubs. Note that reserve teams of professional clubs will not be promoted.
• The bottom three from each division are relegated to the CFA 2. They will be replaced by the top team in each of the eight CFA 2 groups, plus there will be play-offs for the reamaining places.
• Promoted from the CFA 2 are : Abbeville, Poissy, Vesoul, Bastia, Endoume, Brive, Guingamp, Sannois-Saint-Gratien.
• Promoted to the National : Groupe A : Boulogne; Groupe B : Sète / Beaucaire; Groupe C : Angoulême / Châtellerault; Groupe D : Saint-Maur Lusitanos.
  
• Relegated to the CFA 2 : Groupe A :Hagueneau, Saint-Quentin, Armentières / Troyes; Groupe B : Porto-Vecchio, Manosque, Nice / Hyères / Arles; Groupe C : Saint-Médard, Toulouse-Fontaines, Rodez; Groupe D : Saint-Malo, Caen, Plabennec
• Paris clubs next season will be Red Star 93, Viry-Châtillon, Paris Saint-Germain reserves, Paris FC, Les Lilas, Levallois, Poissy. Aubervilliers and Moissy-Cramayel have play-offs.

MORE RUMOURS. The names being circulated of the professionals most likely to remain at the club following relegation to the CFA are : Van Kets, Branger, Serreau and Hutteau, the most experienced. These players should normally bring their experience of top-level football to help along the youngsters in what will be a very difficult season.
CHARLES ITANDJE GOES TO LENS. Not quite as far north as Liverpool, but goalkeeper Charles Itandje will be heading north to Lens, to be a backup for regular first-team goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz. New coach Joël Muller has snapped up Red Stars' best prospect, after only a dozen games in the National. Another un-named Red Star player is reputedly linked with a D2 club from the south of France (Nîmes, Nice....?
MORE ON THE RESERVES. Red Stars' reserve team bus was snarled up in traffic on the exit from Paris on Saturday, and arrived in the nick of time at the ground. Just enough time for a quick warm-up, then straight into action. The victory brings a first to French football - the first time that a clubs' first XI has been relegated into a league where it's reserve team has been promoted into ! Of course the championship was well celebrated on Saturday - the normal routine of putting fully-clothed people through the showers resulted in a drenching for Messrs. Christophe Fiatte, David Giguet (asst. coach), Gilles Armengaud (physio) and of course Gérard Valck. Note that loyal supporter Guy Lebreton knew what was coming and opted to stay in safety, in the stand !
RESULTS CFA 2 (groupe B). Chaumont – Auxerre 1-0, Ivry – Paris 4-2, Toul – Poissy 1-1, Senlis – Moissy-Cramayel 2-1, Créteil – Chantilly 0-2, Tinqueux – Evry 2-2 & Blénod – Saint –Dizier 1-2, Châlons-en Champagne – Red Star 0-4

SEE ALSO : FINAL TABLE (season 2000-2001)

BRAVO CHRISTOPHE. Congratulations firstly to Red Star reserves and their coach Christophe Fiatte on winning the CFA 2 championship. A rapid rise to succes for the ex-Red Star defender... in his first season as coach he won the DHR championship with the third XI, and twelve months later wins the CFA2. Runners up to Red Star are Poissy, who will be promoted as a club cannot have two teams in the same division.
Red Star dominted the first half on Saturday against Châlons, but without results, and had to wait until 51st minute when Milton headed on a shot from Faye. Two minutes later Abda doubled the lead, then on the hour Milton centered for Aïchour (photo) who buried his powerful shot into the top corner. One minute later an own goal before finally Gérald Milton finished the rout aided by Saïti. It just remained for Robert Gomis to perform his regular party piece of taking an early bath and Red Star were nevertheless champions.
In the dressing rooms after the game our correspondant Gérard received an unscheduled visit to the showers, fully clothed, as did Christophe Fiatte.
HEROS. 1. Benhamou, 2. El Othmani, 3. Madjoub, 4. R. Gomis, 5. Deom, 6. Faye, 7. Abda, 8. Pendola, 9. Milton, 10. Aïchour, 11. Gomes-Varela (1-45), 12. Saïti (46–90). Subs 13. F. Mary, 14. Azoulay
PRESIDENT GOYA. Louis Goya bade his farewells after many years of loyal service as kitman to the first team. Before the kick-off he was presented with gifts from the supporters.
PETITION. Distributed by three ex-Red Star legends, Rodighiero, Dantheny and Pintenat, a petition was handed out for a return to Stade Bauer.
CHARLES BIETRY. After witnessing nine goals in the recent Liverpool Alaves cup final, Charled Bietry, head of sport on France Television was on hand to see Red Star and Louhans score seven times.
RUMOURS & NEWS. Pierre Repellini was happy with the performance and optimisitc for the future. He also confirmed that he will be first team coach for next season. He might have to do without the services of Hakim Saci who is in advanced state of negociations with Morient, recently promoted to D1. Meanwhile, Fridays' visitors Louhans are in trouble, and could be struggling financially. Another shock on Friday was the defeat of Valenciennes, and subsequent relegation to the CFA with Red Star. This means that Red Star could well be in the "Western" group of the CFA next season, region Brittany, Normandy and several clubs from the Paris region. Noisy-le-Sec, who avoided the drop yet again will play their home games next season at Marville.
CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE. Mixed bag of results this weekend, firstly the Under 17s winning 4-0 at magny, but in the other hand the under 15s got a real tonking at Strasbourg 0-7.
AND FINALLY. Spare a thought for ex-Red Star man Sylvain Kastendeuch. Making his final appearance of a long career, he only managed five minutes of the game for Metz before leaving play on a stretcher for the hospital. Good luck, Sylvain for the future...

TONIGHTS' LINE UPS. Coming back for RedStar are Itandje, Richard, Natchimie and Pizzo. Pierre Repellini therefor has named the following squad for the last National fixture for some time... : Itandje, Traoré, Busuttil, Perron, Richard, Natchimie, Pizzo, Serreau, Saragaglia, Hutteau, A. Gomis, Jolibois, Rangdet & Van Kets.
Louhauns-Cuiseaux : Le Bert, Poncet, Dufournet, A. Ba, Bellisi, Patrouillard, Bayle, Ferrère, Sané, Heitzmann, Allais. Subs : De Carvallo, Bradaïa, Ducloux / Nicolas Mermet, but the latter is doubtful.
SALUT P'TIT LOUIS. Tonight will be the last game for Red Star in the National, but as well as this, Louis Goya, will be retiring after many years loyal service with the club. Louis was the first team kitman, and will depart on a sad note as his beloved club plunge into the CFA. He might be back at Marville from time to time to meet old friends, but he did say that should ever Red Star return to Bauer, then he would walk all the way to see that day !
LOUHANS-CUISEAUX. Following their win over Pacy-sur-Eure last Friday, the Bourguignons have booked their place for another season in the National. It reamins to be seen if they will be granted one more season of professionalism by the DNCG. Former Red Star man Nicolas Mermet (photo) will miss the game through injury.
CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE. The under 15s have a tricky trip to Strasbourg, whereas the Under 17s are at Magny.
ELSEWHERE. In the DSR, Red Star play Chatou, Sunday 20th May, Ile des Vannes (k-o 3pm CET). In the District : Red Star v Paris X.
PRINCE WHINGER. In an interview in "L'Equipe", former Arsenal man Nicolas Anelka stated "If there weren't any supporters, it would ebe better for me, I could easily play in an empty stadium". Well, how about trying Red Star, then, Nico.... He went on the say that PSGs' indifferent season was all due to the Guignols on Canal + TV, the French version of Spitting Image
CFA 2. Saturday afternoon Christophe Fiatte and his merry band leave Stade Bauer, direction Châlons-en-Champagne. Up for grabs is the CFA 2 championship. Kick off is at 5pm CET, at the Stade des Frères Lauvaux, rue René Lemoine, Châlons-en-Champagne (tel. +33 3 23 65 74 76). Below is the reserve team line-up that beat Tinqueux 3-0 on the 15th January 2001.

Back : NGoma, Bayiha, El Othmani, R. Gomis, Faye, Sangar.
Front : Busuttil, Abda, Milton, Aïchour, A. Gomis.

RED STAR – LOUHANS CUISEAUX. The last meeting (other than earlier this season) goes back to the 9th August 1997at Stade bauer, a match won by Red Star 1-0. In the fixture the previous season, Red Star were hammered 4-1, a game which sparked the club into withdrawing Jean-Luc Girard as a player, making him into assistant coach to Abdel Djaadaoui.
Friday nights' game will be the last time for most of the players to represent the club at Stade Marville - some will find other clubs, for others it will be a Summer of unemployment. A sad way to end the season indeed.
ON TRIAL. A player from Brazil, Paolo Sergio Freitas (21) has been on trial with the club since Tuesday.
LIVERPOOL, U.E.F.A. CUP WINNERS. Congratulations to Liverpool for their cup win, but givent he performance of Sander Westerveld, surely our very own Charles Itandje could have done no worse ! Incidentally, it must be pointed out that Alaves Vitoria were playing in D4 in 1995, which if all goes to plan, means that Red Star have a hope of playing a European Cup final before 2010 !
MEET THE RESERVES (Contd.).

Price JOLIBOIS, born 29th June 1981 in Tremblay-en-France (93). With the club from junior level since 1992.	Enis SAITI, born 15th March 1980 in Paris XVIII. With the club since 1998.	Kalusivikako NGOMA, born 13th August 1977 in Kinshasa (Congo). With the club since the start of the season. Played with Racing, La Colombienne & Viry-Châtillon.	Robert GOMIS, born 7th October 1976 in Dakar (Senegal). Played with Port Autonome de Dakar before moving to Red Star in 1998.	Sébastien MALFLEURY, born 19th October 1982 in Aubervilliers (93). With the since 1999, after wpells with Saint-Etienne and Racing.

LAST ONE. Last match of the season for Red Star at home to Louhans-Cuiseaux on Friday evening. The visitors will be disappointed with their showing this season, after relegation from D2 twelve months ago. They have saved their place in the National for another term, but will be parting company with their long-serving coach Philippe Hinschberger, who will be leaving to join D2 club Niort. Although the last game in on Friday, the players will not leave for their holidays until the ned of the month.
CLOSED DOORS. Just like the game Red Star – Clermont, Grenoble v Istres last weekend was played behind closed doors, a punishment as a result of crowd trouble incidents during the cup tie against Troyes, when the game was interrupted for a while. The home supporters had thrown various objects onto the playing area, incuding mobile phones.
NATIONAL. Noisy-le-Sec, Pau and Valenciennes all want to avoid the seventeenth place, synonymous with relegation, but which could yet be a place which carries hope of salvation, as in D2 Nice and relegated Cannes are discussing a merger.
MEET THE RESERVES (CONTINUED).

Walid AICHOUR, born 17th November 1977 in Tremblay-en-France (93). Played with Tremblay before a spell at Auxerres' youth set-up. With Red Star since 1998.	Arthur GOMIS, born 28th July 1977 in Dakar (Senegal). Came to Red Star in 1998 from Jeanne d'Arc Dakar (Senegal).	Sébastien PENDOLA, born 30th September 1978 in Sarcelles (95). With the club since 1999, formerly a youth player with the INF Clairefontaine and Paris SG.	Gérald MILTON, born 22nd January 1979 in Lamentin (Martinique), as was ex-audonien, Ted Agasson (Lille). Top scorer this season in the CFA 2 and team captain. With the club since 1991.	Djebrane ABDA, born 18th April 1978 in Paris XVIII. At the club since 1987.

THE VULTURES POISE. Already the scouts from the other clubs are knocking at the door of Red Star, trying to pick up a bargain or one for the future... at least five of the under-15s will leave the club, and two of the successful under 17s have been linked with moves to Lens and either Guingamp or Châteauroux for another. Possibly key players in the restructuring of the club.
CFA 2 SEASON REACHES ITS CLIMAX. On Saturday at 5pm CET, Stade des Frères Lauvaux, rue René Lemoine at Châlons-en-Champagne, Red Star reserves play their finale of the season, where victory will give Christophe Fiattes' men the championship of Group B.
Châlons-en-Champagne, in drawing with Senlis last weekend ensured that they will keep their place in the division for next season, which was the target set at the start back in August 2000, following promotion achieved from the Champagne-Ardennes Division d'Honneur. They are coached by Denis Henrot, a former player with the club from 1971 to 2000. He is coach since 1997 and his assistant is another ex-player Alain Bourlon.
ALONGSIDE CHRISTOPHE FIATTE. Red Stars' Christophe Fiatte is assisted by Denis Giguet, aged 26. A former player with Aubervilliers, he coached the under 15s in 1998 before moving up alongside Christophe this season.
PRESENTING THE RESERVES. This week we introduce the players who make up the majority of the reserve team. Some are already familiar, having played in the first Xi, but others may be new names to you.

Gilbert BAYIHA-N'DJEMA, born 9th August 1979 at Les Ulis (91), with the club since 1995.	Morad EL OTHMANI, born 20th October 1975 at Les Ulis (91), with the club since 1999, has also played with Juvisy and Châteauroux. He alternates the cpataincy with Gérald Milton.	Ibrahima FAYE, born 22nd October 1979 in Pout (Senegal), with the club since 2000, played for Nyayes in Senegal).	Franck GUIDALI, born 1st January 1981 in Paris XX, with the club since 1997.	Damien DEOM, born 5th March 1981 at Alfortville (94), with the club since 1998. Played in the Under 15s at the INF Clairefontaine.

DISTRICT. Red Star beat Stains 5-1, and the two clubs meet again Wednesday evening for a match in the Seine-Saint-Denis Cup.

NO LAST AWAY WIN FOR "PETIT LOUIS". Making his last ever away trip with Red Star before retiring was "Petit Louis" Goya, right on the photograph. After a long spell as kitman to the players, he will be hoping to say his goodbyes to the bench with a fine win against Louhans on Friday. Don't build your hopes up too high, mate....
NICE THOUGHT. Racings' Ali Tabti played his last ever game for the club on Friday, and when he made his exit, substituted in the second half, he was greeted by a youngster and General Manager Jean-Marie Lawniczak who presented him with a bunch of flowers. The game was interrupted for a couple of minutes, and the gesture was appreciated by the crowd present. The little boy, incidentally was the players' son.
AMIENS AND ISTRES PROMOTED WITH GRENOBLE. With only one game remaining, the top of the table is already decided. Promoted are Amiens, Istres and Grenoble, following Clermonts' 3-3 home draw with Valence. Amiens beat Pau 2-1 in front of a crowd of 11 000, whilst Istres beat Grenoble 4-2 to earn their pomotion spot, four points clear of Clermont. Ther just reamins one place to settle, who will go down with Red Star, Pacy and Thouars. Noisy beat Dijon 1-0, which means that they are two points ahead of Pau and Valenciennes. Coming in the other direction from the CFA will be Saint-Maur, whilst Boulogne are five points ahead of Calais, and Sète or Beaucaire and Angoulême or Châtellerault make up the other challengers.
GROUPE A. It appears that Red Star will most likely play in the CFA group containing Calais and Dunkerque next season.
STATUS CHANGE. When Red Star lose their professional status as a club, the SAEMS (société anonyme mixte à objet sportif) which control the professional section of the club will disappear. Red Stars' president, Jean-Claude Bras was summoned to a meeting with the regional council of Seine-Saint-Denis last Thursday to discuss the future of the club after relegation to the CFA. Nodecisions will be taken before the end of June. More to fillow, watch this space...
RESERVES BEAT BLENOD. Not a classic game, but one more victory closer to the CFA 2 championship for the reserves. One goal from Walid Aïchour (photo) in the sixth minute was sufficient to decide the outcome of the game. Incidentally, Blénod earlier in the season beat Red Star 4-2, their only win to date in the championship !
RED STAR : Bayiha, El Othmani, Mahdjoub, Faye, Guidali, Deom, Hamme (Gomes Varela 33), Pendola, A. Gomis, Aïchour, Soumare. Subs. : Saïti & F. Mary.
Booked : Mahdjoub (64)
SUSPENDED. Gérald Milton and Djebrane Abda missed the game through suspension, but will be back in contention for a place in the decisive match at Châlons. Other results from this weekend : Evry 3 Créteil 1; Moissy-Cramayel 0 Toul 0; Chantilly – Auxerre 1-1, Paris SG – Chaumont 6-0, Châlons – Senlis 1-1, Saint-Dizier – Tinqueux 1-1.
CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE. Under 17s of Red Star beat Troyes 2-1.
RUMOUR MILL. Karim Fellahi (Saint-Etienne) could be on his way to D2 club Gueugnon. Charles Itandje is linked with Liverpool, cup winners and Sander Westerveld did look shaky at times. Patrick Van Kets and Jean-Marc Branger will remain at Red Star.

RESERVES GO TOP !. Goals from Walid Aïchour and Gérald Milton sent Red Stars' reserves to the top of the CFA 2 table against Tinqueux in Champagne. Red Star lined up with : Bayiha, El Othmani (photo), R. Gomis, Saïti, Tacalfred, Guidali, Pendola, Gomes-Varela, Aïchour, Malfleury, Abda, Milton, Soumare.
Ohter scores : Ivry-Moissy-Cramayel 0-0; Chaumont 0 Poissy 6; Senlis – Evry 1-2; Toul – Chantilly 2-0; Auxerre – Paris SG 1-0; Blénod – Châlons 0-2 and the result which meant that Red Star were top, the shock home defeat of Créteil against lowly Saint-Dizier 0-1. Just two games reamin until the end of the season. Next game: Red Star – Blénod
The table : 1st Red Star 81 pts, 2nd Créteil 80 pts, 3rd Moissy-Cramayel 80 pts, 4th Poissy 79 pts, 5th Chaumont 75 pts.
DSR WIN TOO. ISSY - RED STAR : 2-3 (1-1). Goals : Santos & Paass (2).
END OF AN ERA. The home game against Louhans-Cuiseaux on Friday 18th May will mark the end of an era, as Red Star say goodbye to professional status, and become an amateur club.
FACES IN THE CROWD. League President and one-time frozen chicken king Gérard Bourgoin was an interested spectator at Marville on Friday evening. Another spectator was Alain Guéguen, former Red Star physio latterly with Stade Français rugby team before retiring to concentrate on his clinic.
JOBSWORTH BASTARD. On Friday evening, the fourth referee made the long journey shortly after the kick off from his dug-out to behind the goal, where a young disabled lady in a wheelchair had parked herself in order to watch the game from the running track. The lady, an Amiens fan is a regular at grounds up and down the country, experiencing little or no problems with watching games - except of course when she comes to Marville, poor already for "able-bodied" supporters, worse for those confined to wheelchairs. A situation we find deplorable in 2001. The jobsworth fourth official wanted to move the young lady in question - "A question of safety" he said. Eventually he relinquished, but she had a poor view from behind the netting and the goals.... two points, in conclusion - let's get back to a refurbished Bauer, complete with special accomodation for the disabled, and secondly, let's get rid of the unneccessary jobsworth fourth referees - the game doesn't need them at all !
CRAP TURN OUT. TO welcome the Cup finalists, a meagre turn out of 300 was recorded... most of these were Amiens supporters too... does Paris really deerve a second club ?
GGOD NEWS TIME !. An exclusivity to this site, and not an April Fool this time, but the Saint-Ouen Town Hall revealed to us that two million francs or 304 000 euros has been allocated for the refurbishment of the Baure tribune and the offices contained within, thus allowing some of Red Stars' reserve teams to use the stadium. Of course work will not start straight away, there is a system of public bidding for the contracts, but at least ot proves that Bauer has not been totally abandoned as a sporting arena.
NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS... Pierre Repellini will be first team coach at Red Star next season. Whether or not the link between Red Star 93 and Saint-Etienne will continue is doubtful, given the senior clubs' relegation and the takeover of the club.
ALAIN DURAND. Also present on Friday, alongside Jean-Marc Branger, Alain Durand (photo) has finished his playing career and is now on the road to being a coach, having recently enrolled at the INF at Clairefontaine.

AFLOAT, BUT FOR HOW LONG ?

WHAT NOW CAP'N BRAS ?. With just three more matches remaining, the season 2000-2001 is all but over. Already the Red Star supporters are carrying out the post-mortem on an annus horriblis.

"What's happening to the club ?

How could the club plummet like it did with such a big budget ?

How sad to see such a popular club disappear from the top level

What will happen to the Academy ?

Are those that give up their free time for the club as volunteers pissed off ?

Those responsible for the pre-season recruitment are useless !

Is Bras still president ? IS he proud of it ? Will Bauer be rebuilt ?

What a stupid idea, the Stade de France etc etc etc

OUR GLORIOUS LEADER IN FRANCE FOOTBALL. In this weeks' edition of France Football, Franck Simon writes about Red Star - "RED STAR LOSES ITS' STAR"...
In it, Bras states : "That will teach us the dangers of shouting our mouths off" (about the recruitment of Cascarino); "The first team is going down, true, but paradoxically the other teams are doing well. It's unfair to talk about a crisis when the club is in good health financially." Then an admission : "I believe that we made several recruitment errors. Concerning Cascarino, I couldn't really criticise the coach which I had just employed, but perhaps he should have been a little more patient with Tony." Concerning losing pro status : "It's not a drama. We have put aside 10 million francs for the Academy in 2001-2002. All the coaches and educators will be kept on, it's important for us to have the kids with us".
As for the future of the first team, the future squad will be build around a nucleus of this seasons' CFA 2 team. Of course the vast majority of the current first team will be on their way out (and in some cases all for the better !) - in the CFA a club can only have four players on a Federal Contract (effectively four professionals). Hakim Saci laid his cards on the table - "I want to be back in D2 or even D1" he said, whilst senior pro Thierry Saxemard was quoted as saying "We all have taken responsibility for what has happened". The rest - well there remains four games for them to get themselves noticed as the vultures from the big clubs poise looking for bargains in the end of season clear-out.
MONSIEUR CHAT. Mister Cat, he of the sending off of Charles at Pacy fame is once again in charge of a game of Red Star. Monsieur Chat will be Friday evenings' official.
CRETEIL ON TOP. Despite failing to beat Auxerre yesterday afternoon, Créteils' 1-1 draw was sufficient to see them back on top of the CFA 2. Their 79 points are one more than rivals Moissy-Cramayel, two over Red Star 93, Poissy four and Chaumont five. On Saturday Red Star travel to Reims to play Tinqueux (Stade de la Muire, k-o 3pm CET), 20 avenue du 29 août 1944 at Tinqueux (51). Coach at Tinqueux is former Reims player and coach Tony Giannetta.

BREST – RED STAR. Another gutless performance in Brittany, and Red Star were just pushed aside by the Brestois, still in the promotion hunt. The only bright spot for the visitors ws the first goal of the season for Kalu N'Goma (pictured).
DROESCH. Brests' top scorer limped off after only half an hours' play gone, and will now be doubtful for the vital top-of-the-table clash at Clermont on Saturday.
VALCKY ON THE TELLY !. Denis Ferdets' report for France 3 TV, complete with this sites' own Gιrard Valck was shown on Monday evening. For those unlucky enough not to have seen it, here is a a brief summary and translation of what was said. click here for summary
CFA AT BAUER ?. With a bif of patching up here and there, notably for the main stand alongside the pitch, Red Star could well make an early return to the Stade Bauer. Let's hope so !
FERHAOUI, CASTRO AND RICHARD. The first two have been on holiday now for quite a while, whereas the latter could also be joining them... it appears that after the away game at Thouars, he said or did something to the displeasure of the fourth official... if proved guilty, he could be in for a lengthy ban.
IVRY – RED STAR : 2-1. Red Stars reserves had to wait until the last ten minutes in order to secure a hard fought victory at Ivry. The home side took the lead on 35 minutes, and held out until the last few minutes when Milton then Saïti with a 20 yards drive turned the game around.
RED STAR 93 : Bayiha, El Othmani, Gomes Varela, R. Gomis, Guidali (Faye 46), Deom (Saïti 81), Abda, Pandola (Malfleury 79), Milton, Aïchour, Soumare. Coach : C. Fiatte.
Booked : R. Gomis (72)
Other results : Chaumont – Châlons 2-2, Tinqueux – Poissy 1-1, Saint-Dizier – Paris SG 4-2. This evening : Créteil – Auxerre.

IS THIS THE END FOR RED STAR ?. Rumours abound that the historic club may cease to exist following the officialisation of the relegation from the National. Normally the club should be relegated to the Championnat de France Amateur (CFA), but as is normally the case with Red Star, anything could happen. Unfortunately, the latest noises coming from footballing circles is that Red Star are in discussions with another Paris club, Créteil (D2). According to press reports, Créteils' president, Monsieur Pédretti (former president at Cannes) held talks with the president of Red Star, Jean-Claude Bras.
One of the things we often hear in discussions with supporters and former supporters is "Red Star has already lost its' heart when it left Saint-Ouen. For me Red Star doesn't exist any more, officially !"
When people take this attitude then yes, the club will die. Turning your back on the club isn't going to make things better - in sickness support is required otherwise the patient will never recover ! To all those stayaway fans, just piss off, if you were real fans then you'd be there through thick and thin to support your team. This club needs true supporters - on the weekend that Brighton and Hove Albion FC achieved promotion, let's not forget those that stuck with that particular club when it appeared that all was lost. Similarly we raise a glass to the true supporters of Bournemouth, Wolves, Charlton Athletic and to all the other clubs that came back from the brink.
EX PFC MAN BURIES RED STAR. The only goal of the game was scored by ex Paris Football Club man Franck Soler. The goal that officially condems Red Star to the CFA.
BREST – RED STAR. The Bretons, despite only drawing 1-1 with Thouars are still on course for a shot at promotion to division two. Therefore a win over Red Satr is imperative. In the game earlier in the season, the score ws 2-2. Note that the 1-1 draw for Thouars sends Red Star to the foot of the table.

Programme of Red Star v Brest, 1977-78 (0-0 draw on the 29th April).

MONSIEUR FAUTREL. Tomorrow nights' referee is Monsieur Fredy Fautrel, aged 29 from Avranches. A referee since 1986, by trade he is a salesman. His assistants will be M. Franck Leloup and M. Fabrice Cotelle.
QUOTE UNQUOTE.... Last week we posed the question "whatever happened to Kader Ferhaoui"... well he was at Ajaccio, and he spoke the the press. In Le Parisien, Ferhaoui described being cast aside by Pierre Repellini as "What a waste !", and elaborated further "When I see the money this club has to spend, I believe that it is a complete waste !". No doubt, my friend, but perhaps it was also a waste to take on players at the end of their careers ?
STAYAWAY FANS.

Aspents of two games, Red Star v Valence and Red Star v Clermont. Congratulations to all involved in annihilating the Red Star. Whilst angry at the way certain have betrayed the club, isn't it also the fault of certain spectators for turning their back on the club in its' hour of need ? Is that the way trues supporters of a club express their anger by displaying apathy ?
NATCHIMIE AND PIZZO CALLED UP. The two Mickaëls, Natchimie (left) and Pizzo (pictured in action against Thouars) have been selected for a training course from the 8th to the 10th of May at Etrat (42). Sixty players born after 1978 have been chosen, and the two Red Star men are the only ones to have been picked from National clubs. Pierre Mankowski is on charge of putting together a squad for the Jeux de la Francophonie in Canada in September (a sort of Commonwealth Games for french-speaking countries) and Jean-François Jodar for the Mediterranean Games in July.
RESERVES NEWS. On Friday at Franconville, Paris Saint-Germains reserves came back from being two down to force a 2-2 draw with Red Stars' reserves. Soumare opened the score after ten minutes, then man-of-the-match Aïchour thumped in a twenty-yarder to double the score in the second half. However, firstly Ogbeche (66) then Boussalem (82) brought the scores level.
RED STAR 93 : Benhamou, Guidali, Faye, Deom, Tacalfred, Abda, Pendola, Aïchour, Malfleury, Soumare (Saïti, 88), Milton (Gomes Varela, 88). Coach : Fiatte.
PARIS SG : Decorde - Baca (Miguel, 78), Tessier, Jardini, Houacine - Stephan, Bengelloun (Rouag, 78), Chakir, Vaugeois (Boussalem, 78) - Vigier, Ogbeche. Coach : Guignedoux.
Goals : Soumare (10), Aïchour (54) – Ogbeche (66), Boussalem (82).
Referee : M. Félix
Bookings : Milton (22), Abda (27), Faye (53) – Obbeche (39), Stephan (43), Rouag (85).
Tomorrow the reserves are back in action with a re-arranged game at Ivry k-0 5pm CET, Stade Clerville, rue Lucien Selva at Ivry, Metro Mairie d'Ivry. Other results this weekend : Moissy-Cramayel 1 Chaumont 0; Poissy 0 Auxerre 0; Chantilly – Ivry 1-4, Châlons – Tinqueux 1-4 and Evry thumped Toul 7-3, Blénod – Créteil 1-2 & Saint-Dizier – Senlis 4-0.
As well as Ivry v Red Star, on Tuesday there will be Chaumont v Châlons, Tinqueux v Poissy & Saint-Dizier v Paris SG.
In the table : 1st Moissy 78 pts, 2nd Créteil 77 pts, 3rd Red Star 73 pts, 4th Poissy 73 pts, 5th Chaumont 72 pts.
CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE. Under 17s lost 3-0 at Metz.
DSR. In a fixture reminiscent of D2 games of the 1950s, Red Star beat the Circle Athletique de Paris (CAP) 2-1 at the Ile-des-Vannes.
VINCENT DOUKANTIE. Despite being absent from Strasbourgs' first team, Vincent Doukantie has been called up to represnt Mali in the African nations' Cup. He will be in good company, with the Diawara brothers and Brahim Thiam all having Red Star connections.
SAINT-ETIENNE IN D2. Despite drawing 1-1 with Lens, and a goal scored by ex-Red Star youngster Fousseni Diawara, Saint-Etienne have been relegated to D2.