Ruffier had been dismissed by the club at the end of 2020, six months before the finish date of his contract, due to disciplinary sanctions for alleged insubordination.

However, L’Équipe now reports that Saint-Étienne have been ordered to pay Ruffier just over €850,000 in compensation, for the ‘early termination of the fixed-term contract,’ as well as for damages and interest associated with the ‘disproportionate disciplinary sanction.’ 

Ruffier welcomes the decision

Ruffier, via his lawyer, has welcomed the decision made by the industrial tribunal. ‘It is a very good decision which recognises the disproportionate disciplinary sanctions and the unfounded dismissal for serious misconduct.’ 

His lawyer continued, by alleging that Ruffier had experienced a ‘long period of moral harassment carried out by coach Claude Puel and general manager Xavier Thulliot, who had the mission of reducing the payroll and firing the players who cost the most.’ 

Stressing further that the goalkeeper had undergone ‘a demolition business,’ ‘a campaign of undermining’, and that he had retired after ‘having his character assassinated.’ 

Saint-Étienne’s reaction

Saint-Étienne have responded with a statement detailing that ‘the club has taken note of the decision rendered by the industrial tribunal and is waiting to receive notification of it to consider further action.’ 

During the industrial tribunal, their lawyer alleged that Ruffier had committed ‘refractory behaviour in complete opposition to the coach’s directives from February 2020,’ continuing that he had ‘deliberately arrived late for training to show who (…) was the boss.’

The club’s lawyer also reportedly suggested that, ‘it was Stéphane Ruffier who sparked the controversy with a press campaign led by his agent Patrick Glanz aimed at destroying ASSE. Because, from the height of his excessive ego, he could not bear to be a substitute during a match

GFFN | Nick Hartland

As reported by regional outlet Sud Ouest, the club management were expecting the DNCG to take action – and were hoping to avoid further punishment, such as another administrative relegation – given their reported €30m provisional deficit and a loss in earnings between €5m and €10m.

The six-time top flight champions, who currently sit 13th in Ligue 2 in the midst of their second season since relegation, are now expected to proceed with further player sales this month. Norwegian defender Stian Gregersen is closing in on a move to MLS outfit Atlanta United for a fee worth €1.8m. France Bleu indicate that all but a handful of players in the squad are on the market, with defender Malcom Bokélé and midfielder Danylo Ihnatenko notably attracting interest. The club are said to be targeting a defender to replace Gregersen and a mobile forward to strengthen the team.

According to L’Équipe, the Gérard Lopez-owned club were hoping to bring in a minority investor in time for today – they were given a month from the initial December 14 DNCG hearing to bring further guarantees to the table. Despite indications that talks were underway with investment funds – two of them American and one European – no third-party investment has materialised as of yet. The Luxemburgish-Spanish businessman – who has been at the helm since 2021 – reportedly remains in talks with potential partners.

In the wake of the sanctions, the club released a statement:

“As the club has been committed for the last three years to a responsible management approach aimed at gradually reducing its wage bill and generating more income from player sales than it invests in at the transfer window, this decision to limit the wage bill and transfer fees will have no impact on the club’s operational management.”

This Monday night’s round of 16 draw will give us some exciting fixtures between Ligue 1 teams, such as Rennes v Marseille and Clermont v Strasbourg. There will be plenty of giant-killing opportunities too with PSG drawn away to third-tier side US Orléans, Lille set to face Racing Club de France, surprise Ligue 1 package Brest bound to lock horns with Trelissac and a resurgent Lyon side set to face fourth-tier side Bergerac.

The Coupe de France’s round of 16 will take place between Friday, January 19th and Sunday, January 21st

The Coupe de France round of 16 draw in full

• Rennes (L1) – Marseille (L1)
• Feignies-Aulnoye (N2) – Montpellier (L1)
• Nantes (L1) – Laval (L2)
• Orléans (N1) – PSG (L1)
• Le Puy (N2) – Dunkerque (L2)
• Racing Club de France (N2) – Lille (L1)
• Clermont (L1) – Strasbourg (L1)
• Sochaux (N1) – Reims (L1)
• Trelissac (N2) – Brest (L1)
• Rouen (N1) – Toulouse (L1)
• Valenciennes (L2) – Paris FC (L2)
• Bergerac (N2) – Lyon (L1)
• Rodez (L2) – AS Monaco (L1)
• Châteauroux (N1) – Le Havre (L1)
• Saint-Priest (N3) – Romorantin (N2)
• Bordeaux (L2) – Nice (L1)

N1 = 3rd tier, N2 = 4th tier, N3 = 5th tier

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Ahead of his departure, Riou was brought on in the 87th minute of Lyon’s 3-0 Coupe de France victory over Pontarlier on Sunday. “I didn’t expect it […] it was kind of the cherry on the cake,” he said about his cameo appearance. It will almost certainly be Riou’s last appearance in a Lyon shirt, with the goalkeeper announcing post-match that he is set to leave. 

Riou to Paris FC?

Pierre Sage said that he wanted to reward “super teammate” Riou before his exit. The arrival of Lucas Perri, who has been brought in as back-up to Anthony Lopes – before challenging the Portuguese goalkeeper next season – has left Riou, who joined from SC Caen in the summer of 2022, surplus to requirements. 

Riou has therefore confirmed that his departure is “almost imminent”. However, despite his age, Riou has said that he is not thinking about hanging up his gloves, stating that he still feels “young and fresh in his legs and in his head.” The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Ligue 2 side Paris FC by L’Équipe. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The France U20 international was signed from Bundesliga side Stuttgart last January and has made just three appearances for the first team. In the summer, he was sent on a short loan spell to Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, however, he has returned to Ligue 2 side Troyes without having ever made an appearance for the Eredivisie side. 

He is now set to be loaned out once again. This time, he will join Manchester City’s U21 side, according to Hawkins. The move is therefore an internal one, with both clubs part of the City Football Group (CFG). The loan to the Premier League club’s youth side will run until the end of the season, at which point he will return to Troyes, who are currently embroiled in a battle to retain their Ligue 2 status following last season’s relegation from Ligue 1. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The goalkeeper for Ligue 2 side, Stade Lavallois, had been included in his nation’s preliminary squad for the tournament after his performances for Les Tango had earned him recognition from the Mali national coach, Eric Sekou Chelle. 

Samssa since joining Laval in the summer has become an undisputed starter for the side in their promotion chase, which is an impressive feat, when according to L’Équipe the goalkeeper had considered giving up on the sport before the transfer. 

The Mali international considers Laval as key to the recovery of his career having struggled to find consistent football for the last few years, and explained to Chelle that he could not in good conscience leave them. 

It appears that Chelle has understood and accepted Samassa’s reasonings and the national federation will not look to sanction the player for refusing to represent the nation. 

The Mali coach also noted that this move will not necessarily rule out the goalkeeper from future call-ups, but for now, Samassa will not be a part of the Mali campaign.

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Since leaving Olympiacos on a free transfer in the summer, M’Vila has made his intentions clear. The financial aspect of his next move is not of interest, he simply wants to find the right project for him. Recently, M’Vila has stepped up his media duties in order to put himself back on the market. 

M’Vila unwilling to drop down the divisions, but with one exception

In an appearance on Prime Video Sport, M’Vila said that he believes that his qualities are “compatible” with Lyon and Marseille, adding that he would be open to a move to either club. 

However, M’Vila wouldn’t be open to dropping down to Ligue 2, or any other lower division, with one exception. “I don’t need the money, I just want to play, but not in Ligue 2, or in lower divisions, apart from Sunderland, in order to help them get back to the Premier League. I had an extraordinary year there,” he told Le Progrès. 

The former France international played 40 times for the Black Cats during his only season at the club, however, he is seemingly willing to sacrifice wages in order to make a return.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Cardona has played just 13 games for Augsburg, scoring just once. This season, he has made just three substitute appearances, accumulating a meagre 51 minutes of football. Understandably, Cardona, who scored 19 goals for Brest in 106 appearances, is looking for a new challenge. 

He is now set for a move to Ligue 2 side AS Saint-Étienne. According to Foot Mercato journalist Sébastien Denis, negotiations to bring the former France U20 forward to the club are advanced. The signing would represent a significant coup for the club, who have designs on a promotion back to Ligue 1 this season. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Kantari had been in the role as an interim appointment since early December after the club fired his predecessor Jorge Maciel and his coaching staff after recording only one victory in the league since the start of the campaign. 

The club find themselves in a dire situation and they remain eight points adrift of safety with half of their league fixtures played. 

Results have hardly improved since Maciel departed and Kantari is yet to find the team’s second win in the league. Two losses and a victory in the Coupe de France over a team three divisions below them have not been a great start for the new manager. 

It looks highly likely that VAFC will be relegated at the end of the season with four clubs being demoted into the Championnat National this year and results yet to improve for the struggling team. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

The goalkeeper was included in the preliminary squad for Mali but according to Sports News Africa will not join up with his national side when they compete in the upcoming tournament. 

Samassa has excelled at the Ligue 2 side since arriving in the summer as a free agent, and will reportedly reject his international duties in favour of remaining with Laval while the competition takes place. 

In a quotation provided by France Bleu, the president of Laval, Laurent Lairy, referred to a ‘moral agreement’ that the goalkeeper made when he joined the club, where it is alleged that Samassa assured the club during negotiations that he would refuse to compete in the tournament. 

What could be described as a creative solution to a lengthy absence for Samassa will likely not work as intended. Refusing an international call-up without the agreement of the national federation could lead to a ban and a sanction imposed on the player as it contravenes FIFA regulations. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland