All statistics correct as of 09:10, 4 June 2019 (UTC).
The 2018–19 Championnat National 2 is the 21st season of the fourth tier in the French football league system in its current format. The competition is contested by 64 clubs split geographically across 4 groups of 16 teams each. The teams included amateur clubs (although a few are semi-professional) and the reserve teams of professional clubs.
Teams
On 13 July, the FFF ratified the constitution of the competition, and published the groups as follows:[1]
Source: FFF.fr Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Annecy were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the opening game of the season on 11 August 2018 against Martigues. The original scoreline was 0–0. Martigues were awarded the game by the score 3–0 and Annecy were deducted a penalty point.[2]
^On 11 December 2018 the FFF announced that Martigues had been penalised one point due to failing to meet the financial requirements of the competition.[3]
Source: FFF.fr Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Lille (res) were deducted two points (with a further two point deduction suspended) by the FFF at a hearing on 25 October 2018, due to irregularities in the designation of their head coach.[4] The decision was confirmed on appeal on 23 November 2018.[5] Lille (res) were further penalised for fielding a player not included on the teamsheet in the game against Lens (res) on 9 March 2019. The original scoreline was 3–2. The revised scoreline was 0–3 and Lille (res) were deducted a penalty point.[6][7] Lille (res) were penalised again for fielding a suspended player against Saint-Maur on 23 March 2019. The original scoreline was 2–1. The revised scoreline was 0–3 and Lille (res) were deducted a penalty point.
^On 18 December 2018 the FFF announced that Bobigny had been penalised one point due to failing to meet the financial requirements of the competition.[8]
Season Outcomes
Champions and promotions
The champion of Championnat National 2 is decided by measuring performance of each group winner in matches against the top 6 clubs in their group.
Any reprieves required due to administrative relegations, mergers or clubs folding are decided by taking, in order, the 14th placed clubs ranked by order of their record against clubs finishing 9th to 13th position in their group, followed by the 15th placed clubs ranked by order of their record against clubs finishing in 10th to 14th position in their group.[10]
Also on 24 May 2019, the body responsible for governance of clubs in French football, the DNCG, administratively relegated Mantes due to financial arrears.[12] The club successfully appealed this decision on 3 July 2019.[13]
On 4 June 2019, the DNCG administratively relegated Jura Sud, subject to appeal.[14] The club successfully appealed this decision, as announced on 8 July 2019.[15]
On 12 June 2019, the DNCG administratively relegated Martigues, subject to appeal.[16] The club successfully appealed this decision on 3 July 2019.[13]
On 25 June 2019, the DNCG administratively relegated Athlético Marseille, subject to appeal, and also gave Tours an administrative relegation on top of their relegation from Championnat National, subject to appeal.[17] This was confirmed at appeal on 11 July 2019, confirming the reprieve of Nîmes (res).[18]
On 11 July 2019, the DNCG appeal committee confirmed the earlier decision of the DNCG to give an administrative relegation to Tours FC in addition to their sporting relegation from 2018–19 Championnat National, meaning they will play in Championnat National 3 for the 2019–20 season, which causes the reprieve of Haguenau.[18]
