Auxerre gored by Wild Boars as fans make silent protest

Second Division strugglers Sedan claimed the biggest scalp of the French League Cup on Wednesday as they defeated former French champions Auxerre on an evening when masses of supporters refused to cheer their teams in protest at what they see as a devalued competition.

The ‘Wild Boars’ – only 16th in the 20-team Second Division – beat Auxerre 3-1 and were joined in the next round by French giants Paris Saint Germain.

Another major player in French football, Monaco, failed to progress to the last 16 as they were beaten 2-0 by Nancy, who ended a run of four matches without a win.

Lens produced the comeback of the night as they came from 3-1 down to beat Montpellier 4-3 after extra-time.

The matches were overshadowed by groups of the respective clubs’ fans refusing to cheer their teams whilst brandishing banners complaining about how the competition – whose winner nevertheless qualifies for the Europa League – is being increasingly devalued by clubs fielding second string teams.

“A stadium without atmosphere for a cup without importance,” read the banner hoisted by the Rennes supporters, while PSG fans had brought a banner to their match at Boulogne-Sur-Mer reading “Football is not a piece of merchandise”.

The competition – first played in 1918 but reformed in 1994 – has been revised this season with the six clubs playing in European competition not entering the fray until the next round while the first four in last season’s championship are the top seeds until the semi-finals.

Valenciennes were brought crashing back to earth with a bump after beating Sochaux 5-2 in the First Division last Saturday, as they were knocked out by Second Division Metz, who ran out 2-0 winners and put behind them a disappointing run of two successive draws in the second tier.

Metz coach Yvon Pouliquen was delighted with his players’ response after a desperate draw with Dijon last time out.

“This result is a positive one, especially on the mental front after the dreadful match against Dijon,” he said.

“There has been an immediate response from the players, five days after that match.”

Tuesday’s action had seen First Division Grenoble’s appalling start to the season continue – they have yet to garner a point after six matches – as they went out of the competition, losing 1-0 away to championship rivals Lorient.