“Sarladais, go go go!” In the stands, we drum, we yell at each other, the supporters of US Bergerac opposite have come in large numbers so we have to make some noise. The Christian Goumondie stadium is packed on this rainy Sunday, the spectators are clinging to the barriers on the edge of the field. For this match at the top of the Federal 2, the Club Athlétique Sarladais (CAS) faces the US Bergerac. The first against the second of the pool, but above all Sarlat’s first match since the indictment of its president Dominique Einhorn.
The suspicions hanging over the businessman are heavy. Fraud, tax evasion, among others, the list is long. He disputes the alleged facts. Placed under judicial supervision, he has no right to contact the club’s leaders, who have been kept in the dark so far on the exact contours of the investigation. The fans too. And the journalist who approaches is not seen with a very good eye: “There is jealousy, that’s all!”slice Jean-Claude, a long-time supporter: “There’s so much bullshit being said, everyone better shut up.”
“I support him 100%”
“We don’t know anything. There is the presumption of innocence for this gentleman, afterwards, the club has nothing to do with this gentleman, it’s not Sarlat Rugby, it’s the CAS. It’s not even CASPN, it’s the CAS! We are Sarladais, we are Cassists, finished, we don’t talk about it anymore”, asserts Jacques, before walking away. The tight start to the game against the gripping Bergeracois did not help to relax the atmosphere. But soon Sarlat scores, Sarlat goes on, Sarlat widens the gap, and the drums panic.
Some have come to see us fall. But we can count on the public of Sarlat, and with the whole group, we wanted to thank a person who is not there, we all know who I am talking about. This victory is dedicated to him
Didier, a former club player, smiles as he sees the points scrolling on the scoreboard. The Sarlat Rugby scarf around the neck, no question of letting go of the president: “I’m a fan. Even after everything that’s been said on social media, calling him crooks and all, they’re not even supporters! Me, I support him, 100%, and I’m not ashamed of it!” Since arriving at the club, the businessman has built a real dream teamwith Pro D2 alumni and players under contractwhich crushes the competition in an amateur division.
The referee whistles the end of the game. 26-14, Sarlat continues its sixteenth victory in sixteen games and remain undefeated this season. With a tear in his eye, CAS captain Jonathan Laporte would like to dedicate the victory to his president: “It’s a bit emotional, there are a lot of people who came, some to see us fall. But we can count on the Sarlat public, and with the whole group, we wanted to thank a person who is not there, we all know who I am talking about. This victory is dedicated to him”.
“See you in the final stages”
But among the supporters, some are beginning to doubt the fairy tale. Michel, seated in the grandstand: “I’ve always said it, it’s a little too beautiful. Do you think guys, if we don’t pay them anymore, they’ll stay?” We are not there yet. Dominique Einhorn, through his companies, was to provide half of the club’s 940,000 euro budget this season, through monthly transfers of 50,000 euros. 182,000 have been paid since the start of the season, says the club. The January transfer didn’t go through, but the club managed to pay all of their commitments, salaries and fees.
The CAS is counting on the good income from the match against Bergerac, and against Belvès in two weeks, to make cash. He is already thinking about finding new sponsors. “Afterwards, between us… Sarlat in Pro D2, it’s a bit of a dream, isn’t it?” Michel breathes, supporting him. The Pro D2 within five years, this is the objective that Dominique Einhorn had displayed when taking over the club. For captain Jonathan Laporte, there is no doubt: “Some are leaving us, but we meet them in the final stages, and I hope there will be a good man with us”.