‘The club is in freefall’ – Caen supporters revolt as Mbappé-owned club suffers humiliating Coupe de France exit | OneFootball

SM Caen’s season hit its nadir on Saturday as the Mbappé family–owned club were knocked out of the Coupe de France by Bayeux (R1) in a 3–2 defeat that pushed supporter frustration to breaking point. Relegated from Ligue 2 last summer and now stuck mid-table in the National (third tier), Caen’s decline shows no sign of stopping — and fans have had enough.

The shock elimination led to tense scenes at the Stade Henri-Jeanne, where members of the Malherbe Normandy Kop attempted to reach the tunnel area after the final whistle – according to a report from L’Équipe. Security staff were reportedly forced to set up a protected evacuation corridor to allow the squad to reach their bus. While departure was eventually calm aside from heavy jeers, the atmosphere was far more hostile upon the team’s return to the Stade Michel-d’Ornano. Around 20 supporters confronted the players, with police removing two individuals as tensions spiked.

Losing to opposition three divisions below has sharpened the sense of crisis at a club still traumatised by relegation. Only players needing medical checks were called in on Sunday, with full training resuming Monday as coach Maxime d’Ornano tries to stabilise a spiralling situation.The mood among supporters is bleak. Sébastien of We Are Malherbe offered a brutally honest assessment to L’Équipe: “We lost to a R1 side with our strongest XI, and there’s nothing to say. It’s not even bad luck — it’s the same level as our recent league matches. Fans are depressed. The club is in freefall and we don’t know if we’ve hit bottom yet.”

Two decisive fixtures now precede the winter break — against Bourg-en-Bresse on Friday and Villefranche Beaujolais on December 5. With the January window approaching, Caen desperately need momentum from somewhere.GFFN | George Boxall