Reims Prioritizes Ligue 1 Survival Over Coupe de France Glory

Stade de Reims Chooses League Survival Over Coupe de France Final Reims, France – In a surprising turn of events, the Stade de Reims football club has announced it will prioritize its upcoming relegation playoff match over the Coupe de France final. The decision, confirmed by coach Will Still and club president Jean-Pierre Caillot, has sent shockwaves through the French football world. The club is currently battling to avoid relegation from Ligue 1, and the playoff match is seen as a make-or-break moment for their top-flight status. With the stakes so high, Still has confirmed that he will field his strongest possible team for the relegation match, even if it means sacrificing the Coupe de France final. "The choice is made," Still stated in a recent interview. "We are going to line up our best players for the play-off match. It's a matter of survival for the club." The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the club's pragmatism and others expressing disappointment at the potential loss of a prestigious cup final. Adding to the drama, club president Jean-Pierre Caillot had planned a celebratory bicycle ride from Reims to Saint-Denis, the location of the Coupe de France final, but has cancelled the trip to focus on the club's survival. The situation highlights the difficult choices faced by clubs struggling financially, particularly in the wake of the television rights crisis. The outcome of the relegation match will determine whether the Stade de Reims will celebrate a hard-fought survival or face the consequences of a potential relegation to Ligue 2.