SARAGAGLIA. Olivier Saragaglia will be back on home ground for the match on Friday at Grenoble. He started out his career at Grenoble before moving on to Châteauroux then back once again to Grenoble. Last season, he played thirty two times for coach Alain Michel and found the net three times. He will surely be hoping to put one over his old colleagues on Friday.
REFEREE. Fridays' game Grenoble – Red Star 93 will be refereed by Serge Fidri from Lorraine, assisted by Didier Martin (Maine) and Thierry Waniart (Burgundy).
Photo : Match v Grenoble at Marville, Walid Aïchour tussles with Hervé Milazzo (Grenoble)
BAYIHA. Just to clear up any doubt about Gilbert Bayihas' debuts in the first team. In the league, Gilberts' first game was last season against Raon-l'Etape, whilst in cup competitions, he did play in goal at Saint-Etienne in lasts seasons' League Cup following the dismissal of Jean-Marc Branger. Before that, however, he kept goal in a French Cup game at Marc-en-Baroeul at the end of 1999.
REPELLINI INTERVIEWED IN "FRANCE FOOTBALL".
Interviewed by Frédéric Lombard for France Football this week, Red Stars' coach answered the following question :
Pierre, does this defeat hurt more than the others in as much as it was a derby game ?
"No, I said that we were playing a cup game, without being focussed on our opponents. Noisy pulled off a hold-up. But when I see the quality of our game, I'm still optimistic for the rest of the season."
Concerning this optimism, Pierre Repellini added:
"Things aren't as bad as they appear. We still stumble, but we are finding a quality of play which we haven't seen for six months. A lively game full of movement is our trademark. We are re-learining the fundamentals. Despite our poor league standing, the lads haven't given up hope, they want to turn things around and that shows during training. We want to get our heads above water."
CFA 2. Week 15 produced the first win of the season for bottom club Blénod to the detriment of Red Star, 4-2. Other results were : Auxerre – Chantilly 1-1, Chaumont – Paris SG 2-2, Créteil – Evry 4-2, Ivry – Poissy 1-1, Toul – Moissy-Cramayel 2-2. The games Senlis – Châlons and Tinqueux – Saint-Dizier were postponed. Moissy-Cramayel lead with 46 pts, ahead of Red Star 44 pts, Chaumont 41 pts and three clubs on 40 pts : Poissy, Créteil, Ivry.
CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE. Under 17s, the match Red Star 93 – Jarville has been put back to a later date. On Sunday 4th February, a trip to Saint-Dizier.

WHAT THEY SAID.... Various reactions after the game from the press and from the "supporters"... firstly Le Parisien: "SAD, a dying club. On Saturday evening, in a deafening silence, Red Star took another step closer to the CFA in losing at home to neighbours Noisy-le-Sec." Meanwhile, coach Pierre Repellini is either living on another planet, or has caught a dose of the "Bras Misplaced Optimism Syndrome", and came out with "Noisy carried out a hold-up, there was a difference in class between the two teams. I'm confident" before adding "It's at the end of the war when one counts the dead". Hmm... looks like a massacre for Red Star, then.
Red Stars' supporters were naturally less optimistic than their coach. Reactions we received included : "I never thought that I was watching professionals on the pitch"; "Disgrace, they've no respect for the shirt, what a waste"; "We're heading straight for the CFA and it's not the supporters who are responsible for it"; "I'm only going to keep coming back in order to see my mates, the rest, forget it"; "Luckily I had a free ticket". The worst reaction was "If they lose at Grenoble I'm never coming back to Marville". With a reaction like that, Red Star don't need people like him - real supporters stick with their club through thick and thin. Other than that, though, it is easy to understand just why the fans are pissed off !
Photo : Olivier Saragaglia in an all-too familiar "head down" pose after yet another defeat
33. Gilbert Bayiha is the 33rd player used this season, and it's only January. Help !
ELSEWHERE. Boutal, Diawara, in D1, Piton in D2, ex-Red Star men are finding the net. Special mention goes to Fousseni Diawara - despite his side Saint-Etienne losing away at leaders Lille, Fousseni scored his first goal of the season in D1. Remember that at the start of the season he was turning out for Red Star 93 in the National. Photo from left to right : F. Diawara, Busuttil, Pizzo, Deom & Abda
CFA 2. Without Gilbert Bayiha, on first team duties, and the injured Charles Itandje, Christophe Fiatte called up Mohamed Benhamou for the game at Blénod. And it turned out to be a bit of a nightmare for the young goalkeeper. 2-0 down at the break, on the hour Benhamou was sent for the early bath, and Franck Busuttil put on the gloves. Two more goals went past the stand-in 'keeper before Jolibois (77) and Rangdet (86) pulled the score back to 4-2. Next week Red Star have a trip to the leaders Moissy-Cramayel.
Red Star 93 : Benhamou, Marty (Malfleury, 70), El Othmani, N'Goma, Fuanda, Busuttil, Sangar, Aïchour, Jolibois, Rangdet, Gomes Varela.

Yoann Rangdet

SOUND OF SILENCE. Before the game, Red Stars' supporters were hoping to renew acquainence with victory, but once again their hopes were shattered. At the end of the game, no noise, just a silent trudge to the waiting busses and cars. When will those jokers in the red shirts realise that they're playing not just for the money ? What does it take to get them to fight, to want to win, to battle ? However, these days club loyalty means bugger all to the players - so what if Red Star go down and lose the pros status, most of them will abandon ship and find another club elsewhere. As for the supporters, well, they can't really do that, if they are to be true supporters....
JEAN-MARC BRANGER. Jean-Marc Branger watched the game from the stands, as coach Pierre Repellini had decided to "rest" Jean-Marc. This didn't stop someone in the crowd, who shall remain anonymous, but has recently shown his true colours, from proclaiming loudly whilst on his mobile phone that Gilbert Bayiha is better than Jean-Marc... just behind Brangers' back.
GILBERT BAYIHA. To replace Branger, Pierre Repellini played a surpirse card and selected reserve team keeper Gilbert Bayiha. Gilbert has been with the club since 1995, is 21 years old and has already featured in the first team, last season in the National against Raon-l'Etape (0-0)
NO CENTER FORWARDS. Red Star struggled without a true number nine. At the start of the campaign, Red Star had two tried and tested center-forwards in Tony Cascarino (left - thanks to Jacky Lemée) and Patrick Van Kets (injured). As for Gérald Milton he didn't even make the starting line up, whilst youngster Yoann Randget turned out for the reserves.
PSG TO THE RESCUE. Not quite Thunderbirds, but the medical staff at Paris Saint-Germain have stepped in to treat Patrick Van Kets' ankle, thus avaoiding the need for an operation. Patrick should be back in training, and God knows Red Stars' attack needs him !
SACI BACK. The deal with Athletico Madrid appears to have fallen through, so Hakim Saci got a place on the subs bench against Noisy. He last played just before Christmas in the derby against Racing.
NOISY PREMIERE. First win on their travels this season for Noisy, and they managed to score twice (not difficult against our lousy defence). In the nine previous away trips, Noisy had managed to score only five goals. Noisy are now six points ahead of Red Star with a better goal difference.
BRAHIM THIAM. Brahim also watched the game, along with Faye and Robert Gomis both suspended. We asked Brahim about his future, and about Crystal Palace. Brahim kept his cards close to his chest and wouldn't say anything about the transfer.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY BUT GRENOBLE FRIDAY. The slaughter, oops we mean match between leaders Grenoble and Red Star 93 has been brought forwards to this Friday at 8pm CET.
BLENOD - RED STAR 93 : 4-2. With twenty minutes remining at Marville the news filtered through that Blénod had won their first game of the season at the expense of Red Stars' reserves. A truly shitty weekend. Moissy-Cramayel, leaders, could only draw with Toul 2-2 at home. Red Star 93 are still second two points behind. Next Sunday sees the big clash between Moissy-Cramayel and Red Star 93 (details will follow on this site).
CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE. The only bright sport of the weekend came from the under-15s, who thumped Chantilly 4-0 away, and follows a 5-0 hammering of Beauvais last Wednesday. Red Star 93 finish second of the first phase of the championship behind Lens.

HOME DEBUT FOR EMMANUEL HUTTEAU. The few spectators at Marville on Saturday who can be arsed to turn out will be treated to the home debuts of new recruit Emmanuel Hutteau, 32. An attacking midfielder (pictured, in the colours of Sedan) has played for no fewer than nine clubs - Strasbourg, Bourges, Lens, Sedan, Cannes, Le Mans, Créteil and Angers. Last season he was a key figure in Angers' push for D2, and indeed scored one his sides' goals in the 4-0 hammering inflicted on visitors Red Star back in January 2000.
NO SURPRISES. The line-up should not be too different from the one that started at Alès. Despite losing, coach Pierre Repellini was more or less pleased with the performance of his charges. The only absence should be the suspended Dambou Traoré. Repellini will make his final decision this afternoon during training.
DODGY RECORD AT MARVILLE. This will be the tenth home game of the season, and thre abismal record reads : P 9 W 2 D 5 L 2 F 14 A 12. Noisy on the other hand haven't won on their travels but have managed to scrape five draws.
EARLIE THIS SEASON. Noisy-le-Sec – Red Star 93 : 3-1 (0-1)
Referee M. Brizou - attendance 550
Goals : Djebaïli (57, 87), Mayuma (81) – Van Kets (45).
Bookings : Lia. Sandjak (33), Djouadi (8) – A. Gomis (13).
COUPE GAMBARDELLA. For the next round, Red Star have been handed an away trip to Calais, whose senior team last season reached the final of the French Cup.
BLENOD – RED STAR 93. Blénod are bottom of their group of the CFA 2. They were once in D2, however, and did indeed play Red Star in 1982-83, Red Stars' first season back in that division after 1978s' collapse. On the 11th September 1982, Red Star won their first match in seven attempts. After the 2-0 victory, the return match later in the season ended in a goalless draw. Blénods' current coach is Georges Dorget who was also coach back in 1981 ! Other important games are Toul v leaders Moissy-Cramayel, whilst Senlis and Ivry welcome Châlons and Poissy respectively.
REFEREES HIT BACK. This weekend sees a weekend of protest by the top level refs. Decidedly unhappy with recent events, which include an assistant referee floored by a coin thrown at Strasbourg, sundry verbal assaults from players, coaches and club officials, the men and women in black have decided to protest and as a result all games in the elite will kick off a few minutes late. One can understand why, let's respect the referees, but also let the referees respect the players and spectators. More intelligent refereeing, please.

CHARLES BIETRY AND THE RED STAR. Recently interviewed in the newspaper Humanité, former PSG chairman and now TV chief Claude Baudry expressed himself on various topics, including drugs in sport and false passports. Perhaps the most important thing he said was that he goes to games at Marville to watch Red Star, which rekindles his passion for the round ball game. It's true, he does go to games at Marville - I can testify to this as he was sat behind me once. Buy you a drink, next time, Charlie !
PARIS SG REACH 1000. On Saturday Paris SG will play their 1000th game in D1 since promotion in 1974. Amongst the players who have turned out for the club in that time, we find current Red Star assistant coach Jean-Luc Girard (a match at Metz before coming to Red Star); Susic, Renaut, Morin, Col, Redon, Polaniok, Roux, Tinmar, Havet, André, Pimond, Kokkinis, Mérelle. Two others were amateurs at Red Star : Couriol and Bade.
François Lemasson was an amateur with PSG; Lucien Leduc, PSG coach from 1983 to 1984 was a cup finalist in 1946 with Red Star; ex-president Francis Borelli (1978 - 1991) was rejected by Red Star as an amateur. In the other direction, two former Red Star man are currently at PSG Patrice Lecornu, former player-coach and head of the youth development and François Gil, another youth development officer.

Safet Susic	Patrice Lecornu, left and supporter Gil Deshayes

NOISY-LE SEC, OR THE SAGA OF THE SANDJAK CLAN. Noisy-le-Sec have reached the heady heights of the National after steady progress through all the lower leagues. Sucessively champion of the Seine-Saint-Denis District Division One in 1984, Promotion d'Honneur in 1986, Honneur Régional in 1987, Division d'Honneur in 1989 then on to the various guises of the National. Since then Noisy have become experts in avoiding the drop and guarding their place in the National.
Now, for the first time, Nasser Sandjaks' team are going through a rough spell. After a good start to the season, slowly but surely Noisy-le-Sec are on a slippery path towards the wrong end of the league table. With many players out through suspension (several times Noisy-le-Sec have finished games with nine men), the most important being ex-Paris SG, Nice, Saint-Etienne player Liazid Sandjak, suspended following the agression of a referee. For this he received a one-year ban. In addition, the club were deducted three points following the leagues' decision to strip them of their win over Amiens. Voilà, Noisy-le-Sec are in the sights of Red Star 93. If Red Star win by more than two goals, then they will be ahead of Noisy in the table for the first time this season.

Red Star – Noisy-le-Sec (April 2000) : 3-3 Red Star 93 – Noisy-le-Sec (04/2000), last match for Karim Fellahi with Red Star 93

RED STAR AT BLENOD. In the CFA 2, Christophe Fiattes' Red Star reserves, currently lying second in the table travel to bottom club Blénod, (0 wins from 14 games, and only three games drawn). The match takes place on Saturday at 6-30pm CET at the Stade des Fonderies, Blénod.
DSR. Red Stars' third XI are at home to Bobigny in the DSR, Sunday 3pm CET at Stade Bauer
CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE. The Under 15s travel to Chantilly. (Sunday January 28th, 3pm CET, Stade des Bourgognes at Chantilly).

MONSIEUR GALLETTI. For the Paris derby, there will be a Parisian referee. Saturdays' encounter will be officiated by Monsieur Daniel Galletti, originally from Toulouse, but a 36-years old maths teacher now living in the Paris area.
GAMBARDELLA. The draw for the next round will take place tomorrow (Thursday). The line-up that won their way through is as follows : Saunier, Ouattara, Pinto, Ekani, Sarrea, Piedjou, A. Diawara, Deom (Gassama, 85), Agoh , Mirza (Traoré, 75), Diomande. Coach : Bornand.
Red Star 93's goal came from an Abdoulaye Diawara penalty on 55 minutes. Abdoulaye is the younger brother of Samba and Fousseni.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?. Ian Chippett wrote to us as to the current whereabouts of former Red Star men Fabien Schneider and Nicolas Bastère.
Unfortunately we aren't aware of their current status and ask if any othre readers know of their whereabouts. Write to us at jwh@multimania.com . We can say, however, that Fabien Schneider fell victim of a bad injury which he incurred during a match at Nîmes. Absent for eight months, he did return the following season and played a few games in the CFA 2 before retiring from the game. In 1998, whilst on holiday in Africa, a Red Star supporter happened upon Fabien, who was at that time involved in the development of young players in his home region. As for Nicolas Bastère, following a termination of his contract with the club, he sigend for Angoulême, then playing in the National, before quitting the game at high level.

Fabien Schneider with supporter Jean Morand	Nicolas Bastère

CHANGES AT RED STAR. Since Red Star played at Noisy, back in August, both in terms of coaching staff - Lemée then Girard then Repellini - as well as players. Of those on duty at Noisy, only five or six, perhaps, from Branger, Perron, Tacalfred, Thiam, Saragaglia, N'Goma, Aïchour, A. Gomis, Van Kets, Saci, Castro, Faye, Abda.

Laurent Castro curls in a free kick against Noisy in the Cup at Marville, November 2000.

NEWS FROM NOISY-LE-SEC. Noisy-le-Sec took advantage of a break in championship action to play a friendly in Normandy against Bois-Guillaume (CFA 2) and won 3-1, goals coming from L. Sandjak, H. Hamoum & M. Haatit.
FOUSSENI DIAWARA. Last Friday, Internet site "football 365" dedicated an article to former Red Star man Fousseni Diawara. Now at Saint-Etienne, the youngster has not forgotten that he was still wearing the Red Star colours at the start of the season, and has since bcome a regular in the first team in Division One. Against PSG, he had the difficult task of marking Nicolas Anelka, a task he performed with aplomb. Journalist Elie Mucciante likened Fousseni to French international Lilian Thuram, a compliement indeed.
DHR LOSE. Red Stars' third XI lost at home on a terrible pitch, 2-0 against Le Chesnay. They now lie in second place, with the same number of points as leaders CAP, but having played one game less.
BORIS GAUCHET. The Coupe de France feature several ex-Red Star players. For example, Boris Gauchet (90-92) is currently player-coach with DHR club Annonay from the Ardèche region. Unfortunately his charges were on the end of a 3-0 reversal against D1 club Bastia.

Boris Gauchet (2nd left), with Karim Zouaoui (FC Liège, D2 Belgium), Cédric Fontaine (Amiens), Fabrice Dorizon (Rouen, CFA) & Steve Marlet (Lyon). (Red Star 93 DH September 91).

CRETEIL – RED STAR. On Friday the two clubs met again in a friendly match, more of a training match in the end. Red Star beat a "mixed" Créteil side 2-1, goals scored by Ferhaoui and Castro, the reply coming through Senoussi. A slight improvement, as when they last met in a friendly the home side hammered Red Star 5-0, back in December.
COUPE GAMBARDELLA. Despite playing indifferently in their game at Amilly, Red Stars' kids won on 4-2 penalties, after being held to a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time by their opponents from a lower division. The squad, coached by Alain Bornand was :
Saunier, Foulon, Pinto, Ekani, Lienel, Agoh, Ouattara, Sarrea, Diawara, Piedjou, R. Deom, Kachaden, Mirza, Diomande, Diallo, Traoré.
COUPE DE FRANCE. Amnéville, who knocked out Red Star 93, were themselves hammered 4-0 at home by CFA outfit Boulogne. Other than than, notable results came at Valence, where the locals beat French champions Monaco 1-0; Clermont who won on penalites against D2 leaders Sochaux, where ex-Red Star man Stéphane Crucet found the net twice for the Sochaliens. Other National clubs still in the cup are Grenoble, La Roche-sur-Yon, Reims & Amiens. Goos performances in defeat came from GFCO Ajaccio and bottom club Thouars against Saint-Etienne and Paris SG respectively.
BAD TIMES AT RED STAR. Not just us, but our namesakes in Belgrade. Last Thursday there was a report on ARTE TV on the famous Yugoslave club, trying to rebuild after the conflicts in the Balkans. Interest for Red Star fans here, as alongside current coach Slavo Muslin (former Brest player as well as coach at Brest, Pau, Bordeaux, Lens, Le Mans), a gentleman well-known to Red Star 93 supporters, Ratko Dostanic. A player at Saint-Ouen from 1992-94, Ratko is back at the club where he started out.
Incidentally, other than the Red Stars of Saint-Ouen and Belgrade, there is another Red Star, that of Seaham who play in the Arnotts' Insurance Northern League, and who play not far from the town of Sunderland in the UK. We are currently trying to put together a directory of all the Red Stars in the world - if you know of one, please let us know. Mail to : jwh@multimania.com. Thanks !

	Ratko Dostanic, right with Nicolas Mermet

On Saturday January 27th, Red Star 93 will play one of the most vital matches in their recent history. A match of utmost importance if they are to retain their place in the National. On the Conseil National du Football Amateur deducted three points from Noisy-le-Sec for fielding an ineligible player against Amiens. This leaves Noisy with just a three point lead over Red Star 93. If Red Star win, thenthe two clubs will have the same number of points. This weekend Red Star will have a training match against a local D2 outfit, a match played behind closed doors.
NAUGHTY BOYS. For Noisy-le-Sec, severlap layers will be back from suspension for the match. However Red Star will be without Dambou Traoré, Ibrahima Faye, Arthur and Robert Gomis, the three latterly names having picked up bookings against Tinqueux in the CFA 2. Another absent will be top scorer Patrick Van Kets, out with an ankle ijury. He last played in the home defeat against Racing on 22nd December last year.

COUPE GAMBARDELLA. Red Stars' under-17s will play Amilly in the Coupe Gambardella on Sunday at the Stade Georges Clériceau, rue de La Fontaine, Amilly, Loiret, not far from the town of Montargis. Kick off time is 2-30pm CET and the match official will be Laurent Benet.

MATCHES REMAINING. 10 Home Fixtures : NOISY-LE-SEC; REIMS; LA ROCHE-SUR-YON; ISTRES; DIJON; PAU; VALENCE; CLERMONT; AMIENS; LOUHANS-CUISEAUX. 8 away fixtures : GRENOBLE; BESANCON; VALENCIENNES; PACY-SUR-EURE; BREST; THOUARS; AJACCIO GFCO; RACING.
RECORD ATTENDANCE. One of our visitors to the site wrote to us and aked us "What is the record attendance at Saint-ouen ?" Well, the answer is in February 1935, Red Star played the French champions Sochaux and the attendance was given as 23 341. On the 24th January 1965, in a D2 match between Red Star and Reims, won 1-0 by the home side, between 22 000 and 23 000 watched the game.

More recently, on the 9th September 1995, the D2 fixture Red Star 93 – Marseille (2-1) on the 9th September 1995 pulled in 12 906 paying spectators in a crowd actually around the 16 000 mark. At Stade Marville, the record is around 6000 for last seasons' cup game between Red Star and Lyon. At the Stade de France, 48 018 watched Red Star lose 2-1 in a "home" D2 fixture against les Verts of Saint-Etienne.

JOEL ANDRE SIGNS FOR GRENOBLE. Former Red Star player Joël André (1997-1999), unemployed since leaving Red Star has signed with National club and promtion candidates Grenoble. He will join another new recruit, Yugoslave striker Gabriel Radojicic and both could feature in the reurn match against Red Star in February. Pau, meanwhile have signed Croatian Josip Omrcen-Ceko.
MERMET BACK. Nicolas Mermet, for a long time absent from the Louhans team, is now back in the first team at his club after injury.
RED STAR IN PRINT. Benoît asked the question as to which books are available about Red Star. Other than the Centenary book, "HISTOIRE D'UN SIECLE", still available from the club, another book was published way back in 1983 "LE RED STAR, mémoires d'un club légendaire" written by Guillaume Hanoteau along with Gilles Cutulic, supporter and who was with us in the bus to Auxerre. This book (Editions Seghers) is hard to find, but may be avaiable second hand. As yet no books have been written in English about the club, although who knows, one day I may get round to it. Red Star are mentioned in a couple of UK publications : Simon Inglis' excellent "Football Grounds of Europe" mentions Bauer (inc. a photo), and recently Charlie Connelly and Roy Sands have written 'Spirit High and Passion Pure: A Journey Through European Football', with a section on our club.
COUPE DE PARIS. Red Star 93s' third XI have qualified for the sixth round of the Coupe de Paris, at Sainte-Geneviève des Bois, also in the DSR winning 4-0. Goals scored by Soumare (35), Madjoub (70), Traoré (77), Agoh (82).
WHATS IT ALL ABOUT. Le Red Star 93 have just formed the "Amicale Red Star 2000", president of which is Claude Chazottes former Red Star player. What it's all about is anyones' guess.

BRAHIM THIAM. Brahim will have trials on Wednesday at Crystal Palace (Division One, England). (Photo : Brahim THIAM with Jean-Marc BRANGER)
TRAINING. Today, Tuesday, sees two sessions under the guidance of Pierre Repellini.
UNDER 15S. Last Wednesday Red Stars' Under 15s were beaten 3-2 at Le Mée.
CFA 2 RESULTS. Paris SG – Auxerre 0-0, Saint-Dizier – Créteil 0-0, Poissy – Chaumont 0-0; Châlons 2 Blénod 0, Chantilly 3 Toul 1; Evry 1 Senlis 2.
Click here for the current CFA 2 standings.

DEBUT. Pierre Repellini was satisifed with the performance of new boy Emmanuel Hutteau.
SACI & THIAM. Hakim Saci is on the verge of signing with Spanish D2 outfit Athletico Madrid; this should be made definitive in the next few days, whilst Brahim Thiam will undergo trials in England.
PATRICK VAN KETS. The future of Patrick Van Kets appears to be uncertain, his ankle injuries appear to be more serious than originally thought. He could therefore be indisposed for a lengthy period.
RUDY PERRON. Rudy Perron fell victim of a knock in training and missed the trip to Alès, Mickaël Tacalfred taking his place. Mickaël Natchimie was called up to make up the numbers.
MICKAEL PIZZO. Another Mickaël, this time Pizzo, scored his first goal of the season and on returning from Alès, he wondered just what Red Star have to do to finally win an away game.
OPPONENTS REQUIRED. Pierre Repellini is looking for a friendly match for next weekend as the club is no longer involved in the cup. Perhaps he ought to ring up Saint-Symphorien Under-13's - that would be a reasonably tough encounter, given recent Red Star performances.
POSTPONED. The Under-15s clash at Saint-Ouen was postponed due to an unplayable pitch, whilst the Under-17s also did not have a game as a second Auxerre player was called up for his country at Under-17 level.
RESERVES WIN. In the CFA 2, Red Star won 3-0, with all three goals coming near the end of the game. In fact at half time visitors Tinqueux should really have been in the lead. Goals from Aïchour (68), A. Gomis (83) and Milton (85), under the watchfule eye of ex-Red Star youth boss Patrice Lecornu were enough to earn the points and keep Red Star in second place behind Moissy-Cramayel winners 2-0 against Ivry.
Bayiha, El Othmani, Faye, R. Gomis, N'Goma, Sangar (Gomes Varela 84), Abda, Busuttil, Milton, Aïchour, A. Gomis.
Bookings : A. Gomis (35), Faye (55), R. Gomis (62).

SQUAD NEWS. Pierre Repellini keeps his faith in the squad which he selected for Auxerre. Patrick Van Kets is still out through an ankle injury, and Hakim Saci appears to be on the road for Spain, and for Athletico Madrid. President Jean-Claude Bras is currently negociating a transfer with the Spanish club, foundering somewhat in D2. On the positive side (?) Kader Ferhaoui could be back.
ON THE MOVE. GFCO Ajaccio have signed Laurent Grimaud (Martigues) and Philippe Rogniard, a youth team player at Lyon. Jacky Lemée, now at Thouars has signed ex-Valenciennes man Jean-Cyril Bouquet. Chérif Oudjani has joined Pacy-sur-Eure.
DEBATE. On Wednesday evening in Paris, Claude Leroy, former Strasbourg coach took part in a debate centered around football. Claude had a go at so-called players agents, as well as the role of money in the game, the club Presidents putting pressure on players and coaches, the latter not having sufficient time to develop at clubs. His time as Strasbourg was not a particularly pleasant one for him - racist and anti-semitic graffiti on the walls of the stadium, threats against him and several African players in the team. On the positve side, however, he was able to bring news of ex-Red Star man Vincent Doukantie. Claude Leroy is convinced that Vincent is one for the future, he needs time to acclimitise to the higher level of the game. Monsieur Leroy also confirmed that he was at one time in contact with Red Star 93.
AT MARVILLE. On Sunday the first match of 2001 at Marville sees Christophe Fiattes' reserves take on Tinqueux at 2-30pm CET. Leaders Moissy-Cramayel are at home to another candidate for the championship, Ivry.

ALES. Alès, after nineteen games have 25 points, not bad work for a newly-promoted club. Lying in twelfth place, Raphaël Vasquez and his team-mates rarely lose at home, but then again don't win that many either. Their home record is : P17 W3 D5 L2 F17 A13, Pts 14. Other than Vasquez, another ex(Saint-Ouen face is Mohamed Salim Bekhti. Last outing for Alès resulted in a thumping 4-0 away win at Valenciennes. For information you can call the Stade Pierre Pibarot, Chemin des sports, on +33 4 66 52 22 37.
ALES – RED STAR 93 . Youtr match referee is Pascal Rebaud assisted by M. Harribey (Aquitaine) and M. Paget (Languedoc-Roussillon).
RESULAT. On Tuesday evening in a re-arranged fixture Brest beat Dijon, away, 1-0.
UNDER 15S. Beauvais are the visitors on Sunday 14th January, 3pm CET at the Ile des Vannes (Saint-Ouen).

DIRECTION ALES. After a rest day, training resumed yesterday morning and will carry on until Friday. Saturday morning sees a flight to Alès where Red Star will play the first game in the series of "return" matches. Red Star 93, Amiens and Valence have already played one competitive match this year, and this could give them an advantage over their respective opponents.
OLD FRIENDS. At Alès, Red Star 93 will be up against a former old boy, Raphaël Vasquez, pictured right with a supporter, M. Pesche.
KADER FERHAOUI BACK. Kader Ferhaoui, already in training last week should be back in the starting line up for Saturdays' game. Emmanuel Hutteau, however is still suspended for the next two games.
RESERVES. Red Star reserves, fresh from a friendly victory at Les Lilas 3-1, have a game against Tinqueux. At Marville, Christophe Fiatte and Régis Roch face the club coached by former Reims player Tony Gianetta. Tinqueux is in the suburbs of the town of Reims, formed in 1968, and Champions of the Champagne-Ardenne League DH in 1997. Kick off is at 2-30pm CET.br> UNDER 17S. The Red Star Under 17s have an awkward trip to to Auxerre on Sunday 14th January. Red Star were beaten in the match earlier in the season at the Ile des Vannes.
COUPE DE LA LIGUE. Auxerre, victors of Red Star will play Saint-Etienne in the next round, and will meet former Red Star heros Karim Fellahi and Fousseni Diawara.

Alain Bornand	Red Star - Auxerre U17s.

JOLIBOIS. Making his first team debuts was promising youngster Price Jolibois. Nineteen years old, a regular in the reserves since the call-up of striker Yoann Rangdet to the first XI, Price was the big surprise of the game. He gave his all, and came out of the game with honours. He had two good chances to put the ball in the net, worked hard and contributed to an improved Red Star performance. We spoke to his coach Christophe Fiatte after the game, and Red Star reserves boss was pleased to see another of his prodigies in the big time.
PRICE JOLIBOIS. Born 29th June 1981 at Tremblay-en France (93), 1,77 m – 72 kg. Product of the club, where he has served since 1992.
QUOTE, UNQUOTE. After the game, coach Pierre Repellini told the press : "Looking at the first half, we can have several regrets. With a bit more realism we could have pulled something off. In scoring first, we would have posed problems to Auxerre, and they would have been in difficulty."
As for Daniel Rolland, the Auxerre coach said : "In the cup, what is important is to get through. From that I'm happy. As for how we did it, we could be disappointed. In the first half we panicked, and the black spots have to be the injuries to Guivarc'h and Jay ".
OLIVIER SARAGAGLIA. Supa Sara was Captain Fantastic for this game - whether our Hopless Hero keeps the armband permanently, no-one knows. Either way, we've seen worse.
JEAN-MARC BRANGER. Jean-Marc Branger (photo) was the only survivor from last season's cup run. Others involved in last years run, but not really part of it were Pizzo (photo, right), Milton, Tacalfred and Bayiha.
HAKIM SACI SPECTATOR. Currently having talks with Atletico Madrid, Hakim was in Spain on Friday. On Saturday he was back in the stands along with Brahim Thiam, also looking for a way out.
ABSENCES. Auxerre were without Saïb, Tainio, Faye and Reyes, whereas Red Star 93 had to make do without Van Kets, Hutteau and Saci.
BARMY ARMY. Other than those who had made the not-too-long trip in cars, the bus put on by the Amis du Red Star was full. Other than losing the game, the general opinion was a positive one, and we did get to sit in one of the best parts of the ground thanks to several free tickets handed out by Red Star and the nice Auxerre people.
ALSO THERE. The clubs' sponsors also put on a bus, and it carried among others Rodighiero, Manzano, Dantheny and Pintenat all former Red Star players.
THE RESERVES. Red Stars' reserves played a friendly against Les Lilas of the CFA. Played away instead of at the Ile des Vannes, Christophe Fiattes' boys won 3-1, including a good performance from new recruit Emmanuel Hutteau.
COUPE DE LA LIGUE. Other results :

RENNES/NANTES : 2-4 aet

CANNES/VALENCE : 1-2

LE HAVRE/MARSEILLE : 4-1

BORDEAUX/LILLE : 1-0

AUXERRE/RED STAR 93 : 2-0

TOULOUSE/NIORT : 0-1

AJACCIO/ST ETIENNE : 1-2 aet

GUINGAMP/AMIENS : 1-3

SEDAN/LYON : 1-2

NANCY/PARIS ST GERMAIN 3-1

STRASBOURG/CHATEAUROUX 2-4 aet

WASQUEHAL/METZ : 3-1

MONACO/GUEUGNON : 2-0

TROYES/CRETEIL : 3-0

LENS/NIMES : 4-0

BASTIA/NICE : 2-1

FADIGA, FORMER RED STAR. Khalilou Fadiga, currently playing at Auxerre is no stranger to Paris. Born in Dakar, Sengal and raised in the notorious Goutte d'Or quarter, he started out with the club from Saint-Ouen, initially in the Coupe Gambardella as well as several appearances in the DH. He then moved to Belgium and RC Liège, Lommel, becoming one of the top scorers in the country. He played in some Champions' League games, in particular against Lyon. In the Autumn he moved to Auxerre, and so far has found the net only once in the championship.
FUTURE STARS. In the Auxerre line-up are two youngsters with big futures - captain of France Juniors, Philippe Mexés has been watched by Manchester United, among others, and striker Djibril Cissé.
PREPARATIONS. A training session before taking lunch then setting off on the road to Burgundy. Captain will be Thierry Saxemard (photo) in the absence of injured Kader Ferhaoui.
CROWD. So far the predicted attendance will be around the 5000 mark - pitiful, considering that the ground holds 21 000.
COUPE DE LA LIGUE (the 16 matches)

Friday 5th January 2001

RENNES/NANTES at 6pm CET

CANNES/VALENCE at 8-30pm CET

Saturday 6th January 2001

LE HAVRE/MARSEILLE at 3-15pm CET

BORDEAUX/LILLE at 3-30pm CET

AUXERRE/RED STAR 93 at 6pm CET

TOULOUSE/NIORT at 6pm CET

AJACCIO/ST ETIENNE at 6pm CET

GUINGAMP/AMIENS at 6pm CET

SEDAN/LYON at 8-45pm CET

Sunday 7th January 2001

NANCY/PARIS ST GERMAIN at 3pm CET

STRASBOURG/CHATEAUROUX at 6pm CET

WASQUEHAL/METZ at 6pm CET

MONACO/GUEUGNON at 6pm CET

TROYES/CRETEIL at 6pm CET

LENS/NIMES at 6pm CET

BASTIA/NICE at 8pm CET

DEAR SIR, IS THIS A RECORD ? In what could be a record even by Red Stars' wacky standards, Fousseni Diawara will have played under no less than FIVE coaches in less than SIX months. When at Red Star he was coached by Pierre Repellini then Jacky Lemée before moving on to Saint-Etienne and Robert Nouzaret, John Toshack (not forgetting the interim period of Gérard Soler), now Jean-Guy Walemme (player-coach). As my colleague Gérard quite rightly points out, Fousseni is experiencing football of the 21st century, more or less a copy of US sport, where the main participants are merely the properties of the clubs' owners.
INJURY UPDATE. With only 72 hours remaining before the matchat Auxerre, two regulars will be missing, Kader Ferhaoui and Patrick Van Kets. Elsewhere, Emmanuel Hutteau still has not received clearance to play. (photo - Saxemard, Traoré & Natchimie, Créteil v Red Star 93)
AUXERRE. At home the Auxerrois have an indifferent record in the league, having won five, drawn two and lost four matches in eleven games.
( photo - Moussa Saïb, Auxerre)
TRIO. Pierre Repellini, Jean-Luc Girard and Régis Roch are in charge of getting things right at Red Star. With Pierre Repellini returning to lead the first XI, Régis Roch takes his place alongside Christophe Fiatte with the reserves, necessary as Fiatte does not yet have the qualifications required to be a coach.
RESERVES NEWS. The reserves should have had a friendly at Amiens. But, in a fixture re-shuffle, Amiens reserves will have to play a match postponed earlier in the season. In turn, Red Star reserves will take on Les Lilas (CFA) in a friendly at the Ile des Vannes, Saturday 6th January, 3pm CET. Currently at Les Lilas, is a face from last season, Laurent Delanoue as well as Florent Dewez.
SAMI. Samuel Michel, originally slated to join Niort, could instead be back on his way to the capital, and to Créteil (D2), where Lilian Compan will be taking the other direction to Guingamp.
RACING. Racings' win at Marville has set the club from Colombes on the right tracks. Now the club of president Gilles Dumas are looking for promotion. With the door open to new investors, a decsion will be taken early this year as to the renovation of the Stade de Colombes, to 20 000 capacity. Racing will take on Clermont, the 3rd February at the Stade de France ! Are you taking note, Monsieur Bras ?

REPELLINI BACK IN CHARGE. The rumoured return of last seasons' coach Pierre Repellini have come true and he will take his place alongside current incumbent Jean-Luc Girard. Red Stars' head honcho Michel Moulin announced the return and said "This is an internal solution, we have to make the best of what we have already got. We will help Jean-Luc Girard as well as filling the gap left by the departure of Alim Ben Mabrouck. ».

It must be remembered that the two men originally planned the new season together, before all was blown to pieces by the arrival of the inept Jacky Lemée, with just two weeks to go until the start of the season. Repellini and Girard will work together in order to ensure that the once-proud Red Star does not slide into oblivion in the CFA.
EMMANUEL HUTTEAU. Emmanuel Hutteau, new arrival at the club may not yet be able to make his debut due to suspension, following a sending off received whilst still playing for Angers reserves. He must now wait to see if the discipline commitee of the Ligue Atlantique will apply a two match ban, or if he will be allowed a reprieve. More to follow, watch this space.
FORMER HEROS. Photos taken at the recent Paris derby.

Ted Agasson	Karim Fellahi	Fabien Valéri (left), alongside Stéphane, a loyal supporter.

TRAINING NEWS. Pierre Repellini, back alongside Jean-Luc Girard will be leading training sessions. There are normally two sessions per day until Thursday. Yesterday, virtually all the squad underwent a particularly thorough session, only Patrick Van Kets was missing.
Back at the club is Christian Duraincie, former Red Star vice-president in the 1990s'.

Christian Duraincie (left), Robert Herbin & Jean-Claude Bras, 1991