The women’s section of the Montpellier club has been going through difficult times in recent months.
This is an important page in the history of the women’s section of the ASPTT Montpellier which will be played out in the coming weeks. After establishing itself in recent seasons as one of the big names in regional women’s football, the Montpellier team is, according to several testimonies, experiencing complicated times in recent months.
Player departures
The reason? An open conflict between some of the players and the new presidency who arrived last summer, to whom some girls criticize an attitude considered negative and decisions taken without consultation. “It all started last summer, with the departures of players which were decided by the new presidents. A letter was written and signed by all the players to meet them and find a solution. We were received after the transfer period, but they replied that no one would make them change their mind. And this continued this summer, since several girls, some of whom had been at the club for a very long time, were simply firedregrets one of the players of the team. Today the situation is catastrophic. There is a real climate of intimidation, everyone is in the hot seat and no one dares to say anything anymore. There is no more dialogue.”
A complicated climate
Proposals have nevertheless been made in recent weeks by the group. The separation of the men’s and women’s sections was notably one of the areas of work, but the leaders did not follow up on it. “Of the four players who proposed this idea, two have already been fired. Others have also left of their own accord to get out of this situation. I am very worried about the future, I don’t even know if we will be able to finish the season” confides this same player, joined by one of her now former teammates. “We tried lots of things and even contacted the sports section at the start of the season, but nothing is moving. The environment is not healthy. The girls I speak with are disgusted, there is a feeling of weariness that has set in and I don’t really see how things will get better.”
Very good results
And yet, if the situation seems very complicated behind the scenes, everything has been going perfectly on the pitch since the start of the season with an ongoing series of six consecutive victories and qualification for the Coupe de France. But it is now outside that solutions will have to be found to emerge from the crisis and quickly regain confidence and serenity.
Club leaders defend themselves
Contacted by us, the leaders of ASPTT Montpellier wished to provide details following the criticisms made by certain players:
“Discussions took place from June to the end of October, the girls were received on several occasions. We cannot be blamed for not being open. Afterwards, as in all clubs, decisions may not please all the players. But it is not possible to hear about brutality or intimidation. These are simply natural debates that exist everywhere. Regarding the fact that some girls are no longer with us, they were not kicked out, but their membership was simply not renewed. These are the choices of the new coaches and they must be respected. Especially since we had chosen these coaches so that they arrived with a neutral outlook. And once again, these are things that happen in all clubs. And besides, among our 400 football section members, no one else has complained about this or that behavior. As for the future, a charter is being drafted and will have to be signed by the players so that we can establish a new framework at the sporting level and off the field. ASPTT Montpellier has 90 years of history, it is a club that has always been recognized for its openness and competence. The licensees are regularly consulted, the presidents are elected. We have never received any lessons regarding the values we defend and democracy within our structure. »
