In a Nationale season already marked by Tarbes shutting down their professional operation, and by the wait for the appeal lodged against their relegation to Nationale 2 at the end of the campaign, a ruling from the Niort commercial court revives a little hope for Niort: the club is allowed to carry on in Nationale.

The commercial court rules out liquidation

That, in substance, is the decision handed down by the commercial court on Thursday shortly after 3pm in its emergency hearing on a possible liquidation of the promoted club, currently 7th. The club has been placed into receivership, an outcome that saves the sporting operation in the short term.

An administrator is now expected to be appointed, and a few important questions are awaiting answers:

  • What about the unpaid wages and those still to come?
  • What frame of mind will the squad of head coach Damien Neveu be in for the trip to Chambéry on 21 March?

Is survival on the pitch still on the cards?

Finally, as far as the table goes, it is still the official FFR standings that count, and there Niort sit 7th on 56 points.

A quick timeline:

  • 28 February: Niort play their last match (22-19 win against Suresnes).
  • 3 March: The club announces in an official statement that it is ceasing activity (liquidation?).
  • 7 March: A 25-0 win without playing and 5 points against Tarbes (walkover).
  • 12 March: The Niort commercial court does not liquidate the club but places it into receivership.

The questions?

If the reprieve is confirmed, the hardest part begins for the NRC. How do you motivate players whose financial future remains uncertain? Will the squad have the mental resources to go and get a result at Chambéry on 21 March? And above all, will this receivership be enough to convince the DNACG for next season?

Give us your view in the comments.