Sochaux defend keeping Béthune cup takings, saying they have laid off staff | OneFootball

Sochaux have defended their decision not to leave their share of gate receipts to Béthune after Saturday’s Coupe de France tie, which they won 4-2 away. The National club, in financial difficulty, says every euro counts.

As reported by L'Est Républicain, president Clément Calvez argued there was nothing scandalous about keeping a share estimated at €6,000, noting Sochaux are professional yet compete in a non-professional league. The sum would not cover their travel costs.

Béthune coach Jean-Guy Wallemme said there should be a minimum of respect from a club that qualified, and added that Sochaux’s financial issues were not his team’s concern.

Sochaux had handed over their portion in the previous four rounds to support their league and regional football. Calvez pointed to recent lay-offs and a request to Pays de Montbéliard Agglomération to reduce the rent at stade Bonal, saying it would be ill-judged to leave that money to a club six hours away. He added that Sochaux also have a duty to manage responsibly.

The issue will not arise in the next round, as Sochaux will host Lens, a Ligue 1 club, on the weekend of 10 and 11 January 2026.

Source: L'Équipe