The Coupe de France is never stingy in surprises.
They usually occur when a team manages to afford the scalp of a higher ranked opponent.
This time, it is behind the scenes that an incredible scenario was formed within the Ligue des Hauts-de-France.
It was unveiled, in a very sober manner, this Wednesday on the occasion of the draw for the 5th round.
"A match, Chevrières - Mérignies, having been treated by the legal committee, the penalty shoot-out will therefore have to be redone", it was announced.
The result of a previous round not yet confirmed at the time of the draw due to an appeal, nothing very original so far.
But the content of this astonishing affair is much more so.
Last Sunday, for the 4th round, the girls of Chevrières-Grandfresnoy (Departmental 1) stand up (1-1) to their counterparts from Mérignies (Regional 1).
The two teams must decide on penalties, and it is the Oisiennes who win (4-2).
If this qualification is already a first sensation given the gap of three divisions, it is soon followed by another.
Once back to the locker room, the northern leaders ask a reserve.
According to them, one of the shooters from Chevrières-Grandfresnoy was not present on the field at the final whistle.
The rules are clear: only players who have completed the match can take part in a penalty shoot-out.
To settle the dispute, it would suffice to consult the substitutions noted by the official referees during the game.
Except that "the refereeing body cannot affirm or deny the presence as a substitute during the penalty shoot-out of the player in question", as indicated in the minutes of the League, posted online shortly before the 5th round draw.
The trio of referees singled out
A committee of the instance thus decided to have the session replayed "by the players appearing on the match sheet as holders at the start of the match".
As improbable as it may seem, the girls from Mérignies, a small town located south of Lille, will therefore have to travel more than 150 km to reach the Oise and only redo the shots on goal at a date which remains to be determined.
They will certainly be eleven, in case the session is prolonged, but it is likely that only four or five will make the trip.
US Chevrières-Grandfresnoy immediately decided to appeal the decision.
"I am very surprised, but I do not prefer to make comments until the appeal committee has passed," blows President Laurent Briest.
According to some sources close to the club, two players from the Oisian team would have entered at the very end of the game, with a view to participating in the penalty shootout.
Among them: the shooter in question who was therefore on the field at the time of the final whistle.
"There have already been similar cases, and it had been decided to redo the penalties, assures Michel Gendre, deputy president of the League of Hauts de France.
What is complicated is that the referees cannot tell which players were on the pitch at the end of the match.
They are at fault, at least two out of three should have noticed the changes.
It's a bit gruesome.
But how can we judge such a case since the officials cannot comment?
I suggested that these referees travel at their own expense during the new penalty shootout.
We have the impression that they were not affected by the match… ”