Will the Sarlat Périgord Noir Athletic Club (CASPN) really be able to get into Federal One? It’s a question that many supporters ask themselves, as an unforgettable season comes to an end, on all fronts. There are these sparkling sports performances, with only one defeat of the season, until this qualification in the round of 16 of Federal 2 last weekend, which validates the rise in Federal 1 next season. But also, “the case” Dominique Einhorn, named after the enigmatic president who paid for the shock team with a huge budget for a club in this division.
Savings even on kegs of beer at the refreshment bar
Today, he is indicted, for abuse of social property, concealed work, tax evasion, aid to the illegal entry or stay of foreigners in France, suspicions that he “contest vigorously” according to his lawyer. His judicial control prohibits him from having any management or management function with the club, and the company Sarlat Rugby Team which managed the first team was liquidated by the commercial court, as revealed by our colleagues from South West. The sports association itself, the CASPN, is placed under judicial administration. The equation is simple. On a budget of 940,000 euros for the year, the club was to receive half of it of Dominique Einhorn and his companies. He had paid only 190,000 euros, through monthly transfers, when the gendarmes landed to take him into custody. This means that almost 300,000 euros are missing to complete the budget for the season.
The DNACG, the rugby policeman, closely monitors the club, which reports to it every month. But it should not prevent the club from moving up to Federal 1: “We work in complete transparency with them, but they are not the ones who will take a sanction immediately”, explains François Bourgeois, the sports director of the CASPN. If there is a sanction, it will be in October 2022, which is confirmed by the DNACG, requested by France Blue Perigord. The financial policeman of rugby explains that he has chosen to let the CASPN play the finals this year, and therefore win the climb to Federal 1. He has drawn a “multi-year trajectory back to normal”in other words deficit reduction.
We are going to organize a general assembly on June 7 instead of the month of July usually. We take the lead so that the management team elected at that time makes the final decision to move up to the next level
So for three months, the Sarlat Périgord Noir Athletic Club has been struggling to find money, sponsors, patrons. Sarladais companies gave, some with 2000, 3000 euros. The supporters too, with a small check, at the end of the matches. The club assures that it has always managed to pay the wages since the affair broke out. But he cut in all budgets to find all possible sources of savings. No more mileage allowances for amateur players. The club counts each barrel of beer at the bar at the Christian Goumondie stadium.
The town hall also lent a hand. A stalwart of the club’s first team, laid off from his part-time job at Sarlat Rugby Team when the company went into liquidation, has been hired by the city to drive the sweeper for the cleanliness department this summer : “He has all the permits, and we were looking for someone”, confirms Mayor Jean-Jacques de Peretti. Two other players were recruited at Crédit Agricole, as bank advisers: “They are full time, they do their day’s work and then they come to train, leaving at 7 p.m.”assures François Bourgeois.
If there is a sanction from the financial policeman, it will be in October
The sporting director says he hopes to reduce the deficit to a reasonable level by June 30, the closing date of the budget. Will that be enough? Not sure. The club must meet the town hall to talk about the subsidy granted to the CASPN by the city, today of 30,000 euros for the season. At the level of the department, we assure that there will be no exceptional subsidy granted to the CASPN, the money will be paid according to the grid, that is to say that it would go from 34,000 euros per season in Federal 2 to 50,000 euros in Federal 1.
So it’s up to the club to decide. Guest of 6-9 of France Blue Perigord Wednesday May 18, François Bourgeois explains: “Sportingly, we are sure to go up. Afterwards, at club level, we will organize a general assembly on June 7 instead of the usual July. We are taking the lead so that the management team elected at that time takes the final decision to move up the ladder”. If the new management team chose to refuse the climb, this would not prevent a hypothetical sanction in October. But if they agree to play in Federal 1, it will necessarily be with a smaller budget than this year.