Who should control a football club, and how? In France, if some supporters refuse to venture there, others hope to soon have their say in the governing bodies of the clubs. The first experiences, still timid, are observed in the lower divisions. First in the second national division, at En avant Guingamp, where the initiative comes… from the management itself.
The association of Kalon (“heart”, in Breton) participates in the general assemblies of the club. Without having a place on the board of directors, in a higher place, despite his rank of number one shareholder (6.52% of the shares) since 2017. In the future, Arnaud Toudic, head of Kalon, wishes to participate at certain meetings for “To be able to contribute ideas” to the executive. When contacted, management did not respond to our request.
At the amateur level, the “socios” of the Sporting Club de Bastia send two representatives to the board of directors of their club. They hold 20% of the voting rights after fundraising, according to the principles of this new cooperative society of collective interest. A SCIC, in the language of the social and solidarity economy, little used in sport. “It’s a good way to put supporters at the heart of the project, to bring democracy, to give them a right of scrutiny”, estimates Ludovic Matteoli, one of the two socios administrators. In particular on the price of seats, the development of the stadium or the commemorations of the Furiani disaster, due to the collapse of a stand in 1992.
In a situation of bankruptcy there are nearly four years old, the club, current National leader, will regain professionalism and Ligue 2 at the end of the season if its good sports results are confirmed. In Ligue 1, other supporters dream of a so-called “popular” shareholder base. Since 2016, two groups have launched the idea, without success: A la Nantes, for FC Nantes, and Massilia Socios Club, for Olympique de Marseille.
“Shallot race”
But the prospect of an entry into the capital sometimes arouses reluctance. In particular with the supporters most involved, usually in the animation of the stands. Bordelais Florian Brunet, from Ultramarines 1987, prefers his independence: “Our role must remain that of disinterested adviser, with the sporting success of the club as motivation. “
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