The "Crocodiles" of Nîmes, the red lantern and the smallest budget in the French championship, welcome Marseille on Saturday at 5 pm.
The Gard club is in great sporting difficulty but also and above all economically, as a symbol of the concerns that currently undermine French football.
Can Crocodiles find some air in the Old Port?
Saturday afternoon, at 5 p.m., Nîmes Olympiques faces Olympique de Marseille in an unbalanced duel: the red lantern of Ligue 1, the club is now in great difficulty on all fronts.
That it seems far away, the time when Nîmes enchanted Ligue 1 with its home-made squad, its bullfighting audience and its sparkling game.
It was just two years ago.
Since then, some key elements, such as the creative Téji Savanier or the prolific Denis Bouanga, have left.
Frozen premiums
In 2020, the coronavirus has finished breaking the dynamics of the Gard.
More spectators, more TV rights which represent 70% of revenue… The club's finances are in the red, like its jersey.
After freezing bonuses, the very discreet President Rani Assaf hinted that he will soon no longer be able to pay salaries.
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We see in the faces of people who love this club. We love it as much as they do
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"It touches us, because we see in the faces of people who love this club. We love it as much as they do," assures coach Jérôme Arpinon of the angry employees and supporters.
"We have to save this club, because there are a lot of jobs. For them to be happy and not whistle at us, we have to have results."
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New stadium by 2025
Smaller budget in Ligue 1 with 40 million euros, approximately the gross annual salary of Neymar, Nîmes Olympique still wants to believe in its future.
A new 15,000-seat stadium should be inaugurated by 2025, with an integrated hotel and a view of the lawn.
It remains to be seen which division the show will take place in at that time.