Johan Gastien to stand in 2026 municipal elections in Sayat | OneFootball

Long-serving Clermont midfielder Johan Gastien has entered the race for the 2026 municipal elections in Sayat, a town of 2,500 on the outskirts of Clermont-Ferrand, joining a non-partisan list in the town where he settled two years ago.

"I do not do politics at all. I am doing this because I love the commune where I live. My children will grow up here. I want it to develop for them too," he said to France 3 Auvergne Rhône-Alpes on Tuesday.

He will be seventh on the "Demain se dessine ensemble" slate, led by Sébastien Besnard, an independent candidate. "They call me Mr Mayor in the dressing room, but it is affectionate. It is all good fun," he added.

Approaching 38, his birthday falls on Sunday, and his Clermont contract expires in June. The son of Pascal Gastien, he played under his father at Niort from 2009 to 2013 and at Clermont from 2018 to 2024. He is in his eighth season in the Puy-de-Dôme.

If the list wins the municipal elections, scheduled for 15-22 March 2026, he could end his playing career to focus on a new role in Sayat.

Source: L'Équipe