The 2011–12 season was the 107th overall season of
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
and the 74th season of competitive professional football in
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
.
The men's
France national team began play on 10 August 2011 contesting a
friendly match
An exhibition game (also known as a friendly, scrimmage, demonstration, training match, pre-season game, warmup match, or preparation match, depending at least in part on the sport) is a sport, sporting event whose prize money and impact on th ...
against
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...
. The team continued its qualification matches for
UEFA Euro 2012
The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2012 or simply Euro 2012, was the 14th UEFA European Championship, European Championship for List of men's national association football teams#UEFA (Europe), men's ...
. The men's youth international teams also began playing qualification matches for their yearly European Championship tournament. ''
Les Espoirs'' began its qualification campaign for the
2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, or simply the 2013 Euro Under-21, was the 19th staging of UEFA's UEFA European Under-21 Championship, European Under-21 Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Israel from 5–18 June 2013.
The Is ...
, while the
under-19 and
under-17 teams played qualification matches for the
2011 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
The 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Championship was the tenth edition of UEFA's European Under-19 Championship since it was renamed from the original under-18 event, in 2001. The tournament took place in Romania from 20 July to 1 August 2011. France ...
and
2011 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The 2011 UEFA European Under-17 Championship was the tenth edition of UEFA's European Under-17 Football Championship. Serbia hosted the tournament between the 3 and 15 May. 6 Teams also qualified for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Players born aft ...
, respectively. Similarly, the
women
A woman is an adult female human. Before adulthood, a female child or adolescent is referred to as a girl.
Typically, women are of the female sex and inherit a pair of X chromosomes, one from each parent, and women with functional u ...
began their qualification campaign for
UEFA Women's Euro 2013
The 2013 UEFA Women's Championship, commonly referred to as Women's Euro 2013, was the 11th European Championship for List of women's national association football teams#UEFA, women's national football teams organised by UEFA. The final tournament ...
.
News
Coupe de France final date change
In February 2011, it was reported by the French media that the
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation ( FFF and 3F; or Triple F; , ) is the governing body of football in France. It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital, Paris. The FFF is a founding member of FIFA and is responsible for overseeing all aspec ...
had scheduled the 2011–12 edition of the
Coupe de France
The Coupe de France (), also known in English language, English as the French Cup or less commonly as the France Cup, is the premier Single-elimination tournament, knockout cup competition in French football organised by the French Football Fed ...
final to be played on 5 May 2012. The date is significant because it would mark the 20th anniversary of the
Furiani disaster, which occurred when a tribune at the Stade Armand Cesari in
Furiani
Furiani (; ) is a commune in the Haute-Corse department, on the island of Corsica, France.
Population
See also
* Communes of the Haute-Corse department
* Tour de Furiani
* Stade Armand-Cesari and Stade Armand-Cesari disaster
* Railway ...
collapse during a Coupe de France semi-final match between
Bastia
Bastia ( , , , ; ) is a communes of France, commune in the Departments of France, department of Haute-Corse, Corsica, France. It is located in the northeast of the island of Corsica at the base of Cap Corse. It also has the second-highest popu ...
and
Marseille
Marseille (; ; see #Name, below) is a city in southern France, the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Bouches-du-Rhône and of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions of France, region. Situated in the ...
. The tragedy resulted in the death of 18 individuals and injuries to over 2,000. The resulting outcry and criticism of the decision to schedule the final on that date led to the Federation issuing a statement declaring that the official calendar for the competition had not been released, so the reports were only rumors. On 31 March 2011, the schedule was released and the date for the final was set for 28 April 2012.
Supercup in Morocco
On 15 April 2011, the
Ligue de Football Professionnel
The (, ''Professional Football League''), commonly known as the LFP, is a French governing body that runs the major professional football leagues in France and Monaco. It was founded in 1944 and serves under the authority of the French Footba ...
announced that, for the third consecutive season, the
Trophée des champions
The Trophée des Champions (, ) is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super cup, super cups found in many other count ...
will be held on international soil. The match will be played in
Tanger
Tangier ( ; , , ) is a city in northwestern Morocco, on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The city is the capital of the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, as well as the Tangier-Assilah Prefecture of Morocco.
Many civ ...
,
Morocco
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It has coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to Algeria–Morocc ...
at the recently completed
Stade de Tanger and will be contested by
the winner of Ligue 1 and
the winner of the Coupe de France. The match will be played on either 27 July 2011. Like the previous two years, the idea will be to promote
French football
Association football is the most popular sport in France. In 2024, 53% of people in France declared an interest in football, with 26% being very interested. The French Football Federation (FFF, Fédération Française de Football) is the natio ...
abroad, but this time more specifically in
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...
and the
Arab
Arabs (, , ; , , ) are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in West Asia and North Africa. A significant Arab diaspora is present in various parts of the world.
Arabs have been in the Fertile Crescent for thousands of years ...
world.
New FFF president
On 18 June 2011, following an election, Federal Council member
Noël Le Graët was named as the federation's 12th president after winning almost 55% of the vote. Le Graët defeated the
incumbent
The incumbent is the current holder of an office or position. In an election, the incumbent is the person holding or acting in the position that is up for election, regardless of whether they are seeking re-election.
There may or may not be ...
Fernand Duchaussoy and third candidate Eric Thomas, the former receiving 45% of the vote, while the latter took in only .19% of the vote.
DNCG rulings
Ligue 2
On 1 July 2011, following a preliminary review of each club's administrative and financial accounts in the Championnat National, the DNCG ruled that
Tours
Tours ( ; ) is the largest city in the region of Centre-Val de Loire, France. It is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Indre-et-Loire. The Communes of France, commune of Tours had 136,463 inhabita ...
would be relegated to the
Championnat National
The Championnat National (), commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, is the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Contested by 18 clubs, the Championnat National operates on a system of ...
. Tours president, Frédéric Sebag, confirmed the demotion was as a result of the club's failure to "balance its books". Sebag also confirmed that the club would be appealing the ruling. On 13 July, Tours successfully appealed to the DNCG and was, subsequently, reinstated into Ligue 2.
National
On 26 May 2011, following a preliminary review of each club's administrative and financial accounts in the Championnat National, the DNCG ruled that
Pacy Vallée-d'Eure,
Strasbourg
Strasbourg ( , ; ; ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est Regions of France, region of Geography of France, eastern France, in the historic region of Alsace. It is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin Departmen ...
,
Gap,
Grenoble
Grenoble ( ; ; or ; or ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of the Isère Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region ...
, and
Cannes
Cannes (, ; , ; ) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a communes of France, commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions Internatio ...
would be relegated to the
Championnat de France amateur
The Championnat National 2, commonly known as National 2 and formerly known as Championnat de France Amateur (CFA), is a football league competition. The league serves as the fourth tier of French football league system behind Ligue 1, Ligue 2 ...
after the organization determined that the club's were enduring financial difficulties. The clubs had the option to appeal the ruling.
On 24 June 2011, Pacy Vallée-d'Eure officials confirmed in a press conference that it would accept its relegation to the fourth division in an effort to smooth over its €350,000 debt into next year.
Two weeks later,
Grenoble
Grenoble ( ; ; or ; or ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of the Isère Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region ...
confirmed on its website that the Appeals Board of the DNCG had informed club officials that it will be relegated to the fourth division.
Grenoble, subsequently, entered
liquidation
Liquidation is the process in accounting by which a Company (law), company is brought to an end. The assets and property of the business are redistributed. When a firm has been liquidated, it is sometimes referred to as :wikt:wind up#Noun, w ...
on 7 July. On 13 July, Grenoble's relegation was validated after the
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation ( FFF and 3F; or Triple F; , ) is the governing body of football in France. It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital, Paris. The FFF is a founding member of FIFA and is responsible for overseeing all aspec ...
confirmed via letter to
SAS Épinal
Stade Athletique Spinalien Épinal is a French football club based in the commune of Épinal. They currently play in Championnat National, the third tier of French football. Their kit colours are yellow and blue. They play their home matches at ...
that the club would be replacing Grenoble in the Championnat National.
On 8 July 2011, the Appeals Board of the DNCG confirmed that both Strasbourg and Gap would remain relegated after the clubs failed to convince the board of its intent to fix its financial liabilities. Strasbourg has a deficit of over €4 million, while Gap's debt has exceeded over €80,000.
Following the appeal denial, Gap officials announced that the club would appeal to the CNOSF, the National Sporting Committee of France.
On 18 July, despite both clubs still having the option to appeal the DNCG rulings, the Ligue du Football Amateur (LFA) announced that
Red Star
A red star, five-pointed and filled, is a symbol that has often historically been associated with communist ideology, particularly in combination with the hammer and sickle, but is also used as a purely socialist symbol in the 21st century. ...
and
Cherbourg
Cherbourg is a former Communes of France, commune and Subprefectures in France, subprefecture located at the northern end of the Cotentin peninsula in the northwestern French departments of France, department of Manche. It was merged into the com ...
would replace Strasbourg and Gap, respectively, for the 2011–12 edition of the Championnat National. On the following day, Cannes had its appeal to remain in the Championnat National rejected by the DNCG.
Similar to Gap, following the decision, Cannes announced its intent to appeal the ruling at the CNOSF.
On 29 July, the CNOSF gave a favorable ruling for Cannes recommending to the federation that Cannes should remain in the third division.
On 3 August, the CNOSF ruled Gap confirmed the demotion of Gap to the Championnat de France amateur.
The French Football Federation determined whether Cannes would be allowed to participate in the league on 4 August, one day before the season was set to begin at the federation's annual executive meeting.
At the meeting, the Federation re-affirmed its decision to relegate Cannes to the CFA stating it "trust the DNCG and followed its decisions".
CFA
On 26 May 2011, following a preliminary review of each club's administrative and financial accounts in the Championnat National, the DNCG ruled that
Pacy Vallée-d'Eure,
Strasbourg
Strasbourg ( , ; ; ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est Regions of France, region of Geography of France, eastern France, in the historic region of Alsace. It is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin Departmen ...
,
Gap,
Grenoble
Grenoble ( ; ; or ; or ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of the Isère Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region ...
, and
Cannes
Cannes (, ; , ; ) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a communes of France, commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions Internatio ...
would be relegated to the
Championnat de France amateur
The Championnat National 2, commonly known as National 2 and formerly known as Championnat de France Amateur (CFA), is a football league competition. The league serves as the fourth tier of French football league system behind Ligue 1, Ligue 2 ...
(CFA) after the organization determined that the clubs were enduring financial difficulties. The organization also excluded
Toulon
Toulon (, , ; , , ) is a city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Located on the French Riviera and the historical Provence, it is the prefecture of the Var (department), Var department.
The Commune of Toulon h ...
from participating in the CFA and relegated both
Agde
Agde (; ) is a commune in the southern French department of Hérault. It is the Mediterranean port of the Canal du Midi. It is situated on an ancient basalt volcano, hence the name "Black Pearl of the Mediterranée".
Location
Agde is locate ...
and
Chambéry
Chambéry (, , ; Franco-Provençal, Arpitan: ''Chambèri'') is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of the Savoie Departments of France, department in the southeastern ...
to the fifth division. On 4 June, the DNCG announced that, for the second consecutive season,
Calais
Calais ( , , traditionally , ) is a French port city in the Pas-de-Calais department, of which it is a subprefecture. Calais is the largest city in Pas-de-Calais. The population of the city proper is 67,544; that of the urban area is 144,6 ...
would not be allowed to ascend to the CFA. All clubs had the option to appeal the rulings.
On 24 June 2011, Pacy Vallée-d'Eure officials confirmed in a press conference that it would accept its relegation to the fourth division in an effort to smooth over its €350,000 debt into next year.
Two weeks later, on 4 July,
Grenoble
Grenoble ( ; ; or ; or ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of the Isère Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region ...
confirmed on its website that the Appeals Board of the DNCG had informed club officials that it will be relegated to the fourth division.
Grenoble, subsequently, entered
liquidation
Liquidation is the process in accounting by which a Company (law), company is brought to an end. The assets and property of the business are redistributed. When a firm has been liquidated, it is sometimes referred to as :wikt:wind up#Noun, w ...
on 7 July, which made the club unable to participate in the CFA. On the same day as the Grenoble ruling, the DNCG also rejected the appeals of Toulon and Calais. On 8 July 2011, the Appeals Board of the DNCG confirmed that both Strasbourg and Gap would remain relegated after the clubs failed to convince the board of its intent to fix its financial liabilities. Strasbourg has a deficit of over €4 million, while Gap's debt has exceeded over €80,000.
Following the appeal denial, Gap officials announced that the club would appeal to the CNOSF, the National Sporting Committee of France.
On 13 July, Agde successfully appealed to the DNCG and was, subsequently, re-instated into the CFA, while Chambéry had its appeal rejected.
On 19 July, Cannes had its appeal to remain in the Championnat National rejected by the DNCG.
Similar to Gap, following the decision, Cannes announced its intent to appeal the ruling at the CNOSF.
On 29 July, the CNOSF gave a favorable ruling for Cannes recommending to the federation that Cannes should remain in the third division.
On 3 August, the CNOSF ruled Gap confirmed the demotion of Gap to the Championnat de France amateur.
The French Football Federation determined whether Cannes would be allowed to participate in the league on 4 August, one day before the season was set to begin at the federation's annual executive meeting.
At the meeting, the Federation re-affirmed its decision to relegate Cannes to the CFA stating it "trust the DNCG and followed its decisions".
Promotion and relegation
Men
Women
Managerial changes
Ligue 1
Ligue 2
National
Ownership changes
Ligue 1
Ligue 2
Transfers
Competitions
International competitions
Men's
Women's
National teams
Men's senior
Friendly
UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
Friendly
UEFA Euro 2012
Women's senior
Friendly
UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualification
Friendly
2012 Cyprus Cup
UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualification
Friendly
2012 Summer Olympics
Last updated: 9 August 2012
Source
French Football Federation
France U-21
2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
Friendly
2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
Friendly
2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
Last updated: 8 June 2012
Source
French Football Federation U-21 Schedule
France U-20
Friendly
2012 Toulon Tournament
Last updated: 1 June 2012
Source
French Football Federation U-20 Schedule
France U-19
Friendly
Tournoi de Limoges
Friendly
Porto Tournament
2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship Elite Round qualification
2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
Last updated: 12 July 2012
Source
French Football Federation U-19 Schedule
France U-18
Czech Republic Tournament
Friendly
Last updated: 24 May 2012
Source
French Football Federation
France U-17
Friendly
2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship First Round qualification
2012 Algarve Cup
2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Elite Round qualification
2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
Last updated: 10 May 2012
Source
French Football Federation U-17 Schedule
France U-16
Friendly
2011 Tournoi du Val-de-Marne
2011 Nike International Tournament
2012 Aegean Cup
Friendly
2012 Montaigu Tournament
Friendly
Last updated: 30 May 2012
Source
French Football Federation U-16 Schedule
Notes
References
External links
Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:2011-12 in French football
Seasons in French football
French
French may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France
** French people, a nation and ethnic group
** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices
Arts and media
* The French (band), ...
Football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
Football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...