Lyon-La Duchère put social project centre stage as Toulouse visit in Coupe de France | OneFootball

Lyon-La Duchère, the amateur club from Lyon’s 9th arrondissement, host Toulouse at 18:00 in the Coupe de France round of 64, using the tie to showcase a humanist local project and longstanding cup pedigree. The club also hopes one day to host OL Lyonnes, linked to plans for a new stadium.

At Balmont, a ground ringed by a running track on La Duchère hill, more than 2,000 fans are expected at €10 a ticket, roughly triple a big crowd for Lionel Bah’s young, local side. According to L'Équipe, OL Lyonnes have signed to play at Groupama Stadium for the next five seasons, while remaining attentive to projects beyond that.

La Duchère runs about 80 social initiatives each year, from primary-age tutoring across 10 slots to work placements for secondary pupils, with support for unaccompanied minors and autistic children. It is a neighbourhood effort involving families. Last season the U17 nationals finished second ahead of OL, OM, Nice and Clermont, with 90% of players from the district.

Founded in 1964, La Duchère are seasoned amateurs in the competition, with seven last-64 appearances, three last-32 and one last-16. The budget stands at €1.45m, including €350,000 for the first team.

Under former president Mohamed Tria they once eyed Ligue 2. In June 2023 they faced legal action for undeclared work, with €1.3m owed to Urssaf, then were relegated to National 3 at their request by the DNCG. The club is slowly rebuilding, with debts expected to be cleared next summer at €119,000, and 20 years after a 2-1 win over Toulouse at this stage on 7 January 2006.

Source: L'Équipe