Financial Troubles Hit Angers Soccer Club, Players Get Partial Salaries

The Angers SCO soccer club is facing financial challenges despite recent on-field success. While the team secured an important 2-0 victory against Stade Brestois on January 5th, moving up to 14th place in France’s Ligue 1, off the field they are struggling to meet payroll obligations.

Players for the Pays de la Loire-based club were informed they would only receive 40% of their expected January wages. The club’s sporting director, Laurent Boissier, delivered this news to the team in the locker room. The partial payment was due to ongoing financial difficulties faced by the organization.

Club owner Saïd Chabane was out of the country when this announcement was made. His company, The Cosnelle Group, had been expected to provide a cash injection to the club in early January. This funding is now anticipated to arrive between January 15-20. Chabane has cited issues related to a problematic TV rights deal as the primary cause for the current lack of funds.

While player salaries were affected, Chabane stated that administrative and medical staff have been paid in full. However, commission payments to player agents have been temporarily suspended, with promises to settle these by the end of January.

The team’s next match is an away fixture against bottom-ranked Montpellier HSC on Sunday. As Angers fights to maintain their position above the relegation zone, they’ll need to overcome both on-field challenges and these off-field financial hurdles.