It is a soap opera that will perhaps definitively draw a line under the Arlesian of the union between Beyssac Beaupuy Marmande (BBM) and Garonne Avenir Basket (GAB). It is not the merger, but the great confusion that has been in the news since the Meilhan-sur-Garonne club announced on Thursday August 3 that the first meeting of the 2023-2024 season would be played behind closed doors. , in accordance with a decision of the Federal Disciplinary Committee of the French Basketball Federation (FFBB).
However, misfortune of the calendar, it will be a derby in National 2 against the BBM with whom relations are more electric than ever. “We deeply regret to deprive the whole of the great Marmandais of such a beautiful celebration of basketball and the promotion of this sport on our territory”, laments the GAB in a press release.
GAB press release of August 3 on its Facebook page
« JFK » accuse
If they clearly blame their blue and white rivals, it is in a relatively sibylline way that the Meilhanais evoke the context which pushed the FFBB to take measures. “On June 7, 2023, the Federal Disciplinary Commission met following a request from BBM President Jean-François Kicin, referring to an incident that allegedly took place in the GAB room after the last derby match. , it is therefore [lui] who initiated this procedure, ”wrote management on Monday, August 7.
“I find the sanction of the federation worrying for the life of the club”
What happened during this famous meeting on Saturday April 29? The federation refused to reveal the reasons for this heavy sanction, the GAB having appealed its decision. “The procedure is still in progress”, justified the FFBB. At first, the president of the BBM Jean-François Kicin did not wish to confirm or comment on the facts which he nevertheless implied were “serious”. Although the GAB did not explain the nature of the accusation either, it refutes it and affirms that “the reading of the reasons is based solely on the statements of Mr. Kicin corroborated by a lady acknowledging not having seen the offending fact. »
A complaint lodged
In a statement released this Friday, August 11, the BBM steering committee confirmed the FFBB’s decision “following serious incidents that occurred at the end of the match” and the steps taken by the club: “These facts were the subject a complaint in good and due form, filed on May 9, 2023 with the gendarmerie, for violence and beatings received after the meeting, on the person of Mr. Kicin, president of the BBM. Furthermore, in the absence, more than a week after the match in question, of any reaction from the host club and its president, who had been notified on the very evening of the match, we were forced, and we regret it, to also point out the May 9, 2023 to the Federal Disciplinary Commission the unacceptable facts that have occurred. »
The presidents of the two clubs were thus auditioned on June 7 by this commission which had first carried out its own checks. “It goes without saying that this decision behind closed doors does not follow a request from Mr. Kicin, nor from the club,” said the BBM press release. A steering committee which, “solidarity” with its president, also warns following the “strong reactions” generated by this affair on social networks: “We reserve the right to report and denounce to the competent authorities any person who may have comments insulting, even derogatory, towards our president. »
Financial losses
How did we come to this? Many spectators remember that the atmosphere gradually became tense that evening in the Salle Jean-Fenouillet. In the Meilhan camp, they castigate the “arrogance” of visitors and young supporters. We remember in particular Jean-François Kicin’s t-shirt, displaying the number of points inflicted on the GAB in the first leg: 110 points. Teasing that would have been taken as provocations. Until it comes to blows?
“It was not a good child”, tackles the mayor of the town, Régine Povéda, questioned before the publication of the press release from the BBM. The elected, who says she does not have the ins and outs of the case, is moved by the tribute paid by the yellows and blues. “I find the sanction of the federation worrying for the life of the club. Indeed, if the GAB/BBM derby were to be played without spectators, the structure would be deprived of its biggest revenue of the year… and the public of the two teams of an already legendary match.
The press release from the BB Marmande steering committee
To all licensees, volunteers and supporters.
“Dear graduates, supporters and friends of the BBM, the Federal Disciplinary Commission has decided to order the holding behind closed doors of the next derby scheduled for 09/09/2023 in Meilhan against the Garonne Avenir Basket team (GAB). This decision follows serious incidents that occurred at the end of the GAB/BBM match on 04/29/2023. These facts were also the subject of a formal complaint, filed on 09/05/2023 with the gendarmerie, for violence and beatings received after the meeting, on the person of Mr. Kicin, president of the BBM. Furthermore, in the absence, more than a week after the match in question, of any reaction from the host club and its president, who had been notified on the very evening of the match, we were forced, and we regret it, to also point out the 05/09/2023 to the Federal Disciplinary Commission the unacceptable facts that have occurred.
The Committee seized recently decided, respectively, in view of the elements communicated, after hearings of the presidents of the two clubs on 07/06/2023 and after having carried out its own checks. It goes without saying that this decision behind closed doors does not follow a request from Mr. Kicin, nor from the BBM club, contrary to what has been written. If we regret that the basketball lovers of the Marmandais territory are deprived of such a sporting event by decision of the Disciplinary Commission, we cannot all the same condone, by keeping silent, any major act of violence that has occurred in a sports hall. , wherever it is located, and whatever the stakes or the outcome of a match.
Our ambition is that all supporters, whatever side they may be on, can enjoy our sporting events in the best and most respectable atmosphere possible. On this subject, we remind all our licensees that sporting rivalries must find their expression and resolution only on the sports field, which excludes any brutal confrontation outside the context of the game. We will remain firm in our desire to preserve the integrity of the game and everyone present. We will not hesitate to take all appropriate internal measures to eliminate any violent behavior from our rooms, and to encourage a healthy and competitive rivalry between our two clubs.
Finally, we would like to point out that it is with surprise that we were informed in an official press release from the Garonne Avenir Basket club and on its Facebook page dated August 3, 2023, of the in camera decision taken by the Disciplinary Commission. of the FFBB with regard to the neighboring club. It should be noted that this Facebook post, as well as the following one of August 10, 2023, provoked strong reactions from supporters. However, no one doubts that if one of these supporters had also been personally victims of violence during a basketball match, he would probably have denounced these acts and their perpetrators in the same way to the Gendarmerie and the Federal Disciplinary Commission, just as Mr. Kicin had to do.
Also, we reserve the right to report and denounce to the competent authorities any person who may have insulting or even derogatory comments towards our president. He retains all our confidence to continue the mission entrusted to him, and we are in perfect solidarity with him for this. We regret all these events and agitations totally devoid of common sense. We hope to find with you very quickly, joy and enthusiasm around the sports grounds… And then at the Bodéga BBM. Our team is preparing to live with you a season that promises to be exciting. »
2023-08-13 13:08:50
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