The Old Château-Gontier was beaten on penalties by Saumur during the 5th round of the French football cup this Saturday afternoon. A disappointment of course for Vincent Saulnier, deputy mayor of the city, who especially regrets that the lighting was turned on in the field during the second half.
“While we were still in broad daylight, the delegate asked in the second half to be able to light up the pitch, which I considered in my opinion a bit disproportionate, says the chosen one. So, I went to see him simply by asking him if we could wait before lighting. Based on this, he told me that he was the only one to decide and that if I had any complaints, I could send a registered letter to the League.”
For the vice-president of the Pays de Château-Gontier in charge of sports, there is a duty to set an example. “I think that collectively, we need to show sobriety. We know that we are going to be in a difficult period. It also happens, in my opinion, through dialogue. It is not because the regulations indicate this or such a thing that it prohibits us from simply having common sense.”
Vincent Saulnier was able to discuss the subject with the president of the Pays de la Loire Football League Didier Esor, who says he regrets this situation. “We have to adapt, depending on the weather and in the dialogue.” The delegated mayor of Château-Gontier, for his part, proposes “play a little earlier” or“stop playing Saturday night, but instead go back to a Sunday format.”