For the first time since returning to Ligue 2 in 2022, AS Saint-Étienne will begin their Coupe de France campaign without coverage from the competition’s official broadcasters, Le Progrès reported.
Neither beIN Sports nor France Télévisions picked up Sunday’s seventh-round fixture against fourth-tier club Rumilly-Vallières at the Parc des Sports in Annecy, according to Le Progrès. BeIN Sports does not pick up the tournament until the round of 32 when Ligue 1 clubs enter, Activ Radio noted.
The fixture is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 15:00 local time in Annecy, Mediasportif reported. With national broadcasters passing on the game, supporters faced the prospect of traveling to the venue or missing the match entirely until local agreements materialized.
Local Outlets and Club Channels Secure Co-Broadcasting Rights
After extensive negotiations, the two clubs agreed to a co-broadcast arrangement utilizing ASSE TV on YouTube alongside regional television channels TL7 and TV8 Mont-Blanc, Le Progrès reported. Activ Radio added that TL7 will co-produce the broadcast feed.
/t:r(unknown)/filters:format(jpeg)/medias/Xokg9kVJLL/image/GbJ2QCrWsAAZwYY1733200980481.jpg "Photo: Activ Radio")
The agreement averted a blackout for supporters unable to secure tickets in Annecy. In addition to the video feeds provided by the club and regional broadcasters, text commentary will run on internet platforms, according to Le Progrès.
Platform FFFtv, which handles Division 1 Féminine coverage and previously aired a Coupe de France match between ASSE and Nîmes during the 2023–24 season, was considered as an alternative before the YouTube and regional TV arrangement was finalized, Activ Radio reported.
International Call-Ups and National 2 Opposition Test Depleted Squad
Ian Cathro's squad heads to Annecy with several defensive starters sidelined by international call-ups, Mediasportif reported.
Rumilly-Vallières enters the match following a high-scoring run in National 2 play, having netted 16 goals across recent fixtures against Istres, Limonest, and Châteauroux, according to Mediasportif. At the same time, the fourth-tier side conceded 11 goals during that same stretch, pointing to a distinct tactical contrast ahead of Sunday’s kickoff.
Former Academy Graduate Reflects Ahead of Cup Tie
Cyril Martin-Pichon, a former ASSE reserve team captain now playing in midfield for Rumilly-Vallières, spoke about facing his boyhood club in an interview with Le Dauphiné Libéré cited by Poteaux Carrés.
“J’aurais pu rester plus longtemps à Saint-Etienne mais j’ai toujours privilégié le jeu, le plaisir, l’enchaînement des matches.”
said Cyril Martin-Pichon, midfielder for Rumilly-Vallières, as reported by Poteaux Carrés.
“Je suis très content de jouer en Coupe contre les Verts et pas du tout revanchard. J’ai tout de suite pensé à leurs supporters, au fait qu’il y aura du monde.”
Martin-Pichon told Poteaux Carrés.
The match takes place on Sunday afternoon at the Parc des Sports in Annecy, according to Mediasportif.
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