All statistics correct as of 15:39, 23 June 2022 (UTC).
The 2021–22 Championnat National 3 was the fifth season of the fifth tier in the French football league system in its current format. The competition is normally contested by 168 clubs split geographically across 12 groups of 14 teams, but this season had 169 clubs due to the administrative relegation of Gazélec Ajaccio. The teams included amateur clubs (although a few were semi-professional) and the reserve teams of professional clubs.
Teams
On 15 July 2021, the FFF ratified the constitution of the competition, and published the groups.[1]
Due to the non-completion of the 2020–21 season, the FFF declared that there would be no regular promotion or relegation from the division, and that any vacancies to be filled would be done on the basis of finishing positions in the 2019–20 season.[2][3]
Changes from 2020–21 season were as follows, affecting groups C, D, H and K:
The reserve team of the newly formed Bourges Foot 18 were placed in Group C.[3]
Tours were administratively relegated from Group C for financial reasons, which was confirmed on appeal.[4][5]
Gazélec Ajaccio were administratively relegated from Championnat National 2 for financial reasons, a decision which was confirmed on appeal, and were placed in Group D.[6][7] The group will have 15 teams this season.[3]
If eligible, the top team in each group is promoted to Championnat National 2. If a team finishing top of the group is ineligible, or declines promotion, the next eligible team in that group is promoted.
Generally, three teams are relegated from each group to their respective top regional league, subject to reprieves. Extra teams are relegated from a group if more than one team is relegated to that group from Championnat National 2. In the case that no teams are relegated to a group from Championnat National 2, one less team is relegated from that group to the regional league.[10]
Reserve teams whose training centres are categorised as category 2B or lower cannot be promoted to Championnat National 2 by the rules of the competition.
Source: [2] 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:
^Vertou were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match against Poiré-sur-Vie on 2 April 2022. The original scoreline was 3–2. The match was awarded to Poiré-sur-Vie with a scoreline of 0–3, and Vertou were deducted a penalty point, in line with the regulations of the competition.[11]
^Pouzauges were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match at Fontenay on 2 April 2022. The original scoreline was 0–0. The match was awarded to Fontenay with a scoreline of 3–0, and Pouzauges were deducted a penalty point, in line with the regulations of the competition.[11]
^Challans were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match against Poiré-sur-Vie on 6 November 2021. The original scoreline was 0–0. The match was awarded to Poiré-sur-Vie with a scoreline of 3–0, and Challans were deducted a penalty point, in line with the regulations of the competition.[12] On 22 June the league announced that Challans were deducted a further three points due to not meeting the obligations of the competition, with respect to article 6 (fielding teams in other competitions).[13]
^Changé were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match at Pouzauges on 4 March 2022. The original scoreline was 0–1. The match was awarded to Pouzauges with a scoreline of 3–0, and Changé were deducted a penalty point, in line with the regulations of the competition.[11] The decision was subsequently appealed, and the penalty removed pending result of the appeal.[14] On 16 May 2022, the appeal was upheld, on the grounds that the original challenge was lodged more than 30 days after the game, and the original result re-instated.[15]
^Sautron were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match against Challans on 15 January 2022. The original scoreline was 0–0. The match was awarded to Challans with a scoreline of 3–0, and Sautron were deducted a penalty point, in line with the regulations of the competition.[16]
^Orléans (res) were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match against Bourges Foot 18 (res) on 7 May 2022. The original scoreline was 2–2. Bourges Foot 18 (res) were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Orléans (res) were deducted a penalty point.[17]
^Saran were penalised for fielding suspended players in the match at Amilly on 7 November 2021. The original scoreline was 0–4. Amilly were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Saran were deducted a penalty point.[18]
^Bourges Foot 18 (res) were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match at Châteauroux (res) on 10 October 2021. The original scoreline was 1–1. Châteauroux (res) were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Bourges Foot 18 (res) were deducted a penalty point.[19]
^Déols were penalised for fielding ineligible players in the match against Chartres (res) on 23 April 2022. The original scoreline was 3–2. Chartres (res) were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Déols were deducted a penalty point.[20]
Source: [4] 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 (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Athlético Marseille forfeited the match at Corte on 2 April 2022. Corte were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Athlético Marseille were deducted a penalty point.[21]
^Endoume Marseille were penalised for fielding suspended players during the match at Cannet Rocheville on 26 February 2022. The original scoreline was 1–1. Cannet Rocheville were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Endoume Marseille were deducted a penalty point.[21] Endoume Marseille were also penalised relating to the game at Côte Bleue on 9 April 2022. The original scoreline was 1–1. Côte Bleue were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Endoume Marseille were deducted a penalty point. Endoume Marseille forfeited the match at Corte on 28 May 2022. Corte were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Endoume Marseille were deducted a penalty point.
Source: [5] 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:
^Technical challenges were lodged against three Racing Besançon games (against Sochaux (res), Grandvillars and Jura Dolois) in February 2022, following suspicion of COVID-19 vaccine pass fraud by a player. This was investigated, with the results removed from the table until the investigation was completed.[22] The club were cleared of the suspicions, and the results reinstated on 14 April 2022.[23]
^Jura Dolois were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match at Grandvillars on 5 February 2022. The original scoreline was 1–2. Grandvillars were awarded a 3–0 win, and Jura Dolois were deducted a penalty point.[24]
^On 12 May 2022, it was reported that Mulhouse had been penalised due to their coach not having the appropriate qualification. The team were deducted a penalty point.[25]
^Prix-lès-Mézières deducted two points for currently unpublished reasons.
^St-Louis Neuweg were deducted three points for not fulfilling the obligations of clubs competing in Championnat National 3, after its U19 and U18 teams reached three forfeits each in their respective leagues during March, triggering forfeit of their respective seasons. Regulations of the competition state that all teams must have a youth team competing at either U19 or U18 level.[26][27]
^Amnéville deducted two points for currently unpublished reasons.
Source: [7] 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:
^Balma were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match at Stade Beaucairois on 26 February 2022. The original scoreline was 1–1. Stade Beaucairois were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Balma were deducted a penalty point.[28]
Source: [8] 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:
^On 6 October 2021, Feignies Aulnoye were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match against AC Amiens on 25 September 2021. The original scoreline was 4–0. The match was awarded to AC Amiens with a scoreline of 3–0, and Feignies Aulnoye were deducted penalty point, in line with the regulations of the competition.[29]
^Boulogne (res) were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match at Lille (res) on 4 December 2021. The original scoreline was 4–0, which was not changed as part of the penalty. Boulogne (res) were deducted a penalty point.[30]
^Le Touquet were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match at Chantilly on 25 May 2022. The original scoreline was 4–4. Chantilly were awarded a 3–0 victory. Le Touquet were deducted a penalty point.[31] Le Touquet were also penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match against Boulogne (res) on 4 June 2022. The original scoreline was 2–0. Boulogne (res) were awarded a 3–0 victory. Le Touquet were deducted a penalty point.[32]
Source: [9] 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:
^The match between Oissel and Le Havre (res) on 4 June 2022 was abandoned after 4 minutes due to bad weather.[33] La Havre (res) forfeited the rearranged game on 11 June 2022.
Source: [11] 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:
^ abThe match between Racing Club and Drancy, scheduled for the final day of the season, was postponed due to bad weather. Subsequently, the match was cancelled as it would have no impact on the outcomes of the season.[34]
^Mantes were penalised for fielding suspended players in games at Ivry on 9 April 2022 and against Les Ulis on 30 April 2022. Ivry were awarded a 0–0 draw (original scoreline 0–1). Les Ulis were awarded a 0–1 win (original scoreline 2–1). Mantes were deducted two penalty points.[35]
^Meaux Academy were penalised after their match against Blanc-Mesnil on 9 April 2022 was abandoned by the referee after insults and death threats made towards him.[36] The scoreline at the time of abandonment was 1–2. Blanc-Mesnil were awarded a 0–2 victory. Meaux Academy were deducted a penalty point.
^Lyon La Duchère (res) were penalised for fielding a suspended player in the match at Bourgoin-Jallieu on 18 December 2021. The original scoreline was 3–1. Bourgoin-Jallieu were awarded a 3–0 victory, and Lyon La Duchère (res) were deducted a penalty point.[37]
On 14 June 2022, the Occitanie league announced that Narbonne were to be deducted 3 points for not entering a team in the Coupe Gambardella, which is a mandatory rule for competing in National 3. Narbonne appealed, claiming they did enter a team, received a bye in the first round, and forfeited the second round.[39] The decision was upheld on appeal on 21 July 2022. As a result Rodez (res) are reprieved from relegation in Group H.[40]
On 20 June 2022, the DNCG announced that Stade Plabennécois, relegated from 2021–22 Championnat National 2, would be further relegated to Régional 1 level, due to financial issues. The decision is subject to appeal. If the decision is upheld, a reprieve would be required in Group K: Brittany. This would see Stade Pontivyen reprieved.[41]
On 28 June 2022, the Centre-Val de Loire league announced that Tours FC were to be denied promotion from Régional 1 for financial reasons.[42] The decision was overturned on appeal.[43]
On 1 July 2022, the DNCG upheld its previous decision to relegate Béziers from 2021–22 Championnat National 2, reprieving Romorantin.[44] As a result, an extra club would be relegated from Group H: Occitanie, namely Rodez (res), and a club would be reprieved from Group C: Centre-Val de Loire, namely Saint-Jean-le-Blanc
Also on 1 July 2022, the FFF confirmed that Monaco (res), already relegated from 2021–22 Championnat National 2, had declined to participate in Championnat National 3. Therefore, Istres were reprieved from relegation in Group D.[45]
On 12 July 2022, the Grand Est league announced that Mulhouse were to be relegated to Régional 1 for financial reasons. This is subject to appeal. If the decision is upheld, a reprieve would be required in Group E. In all likelihood, due to the short amount of time until the groups for 2022–23 are published, Illkirch Graffenstaden will be reprieved and Mulhouse will be added back to the group if the appeal is successful.[46] Relegation was confirmed when the club was placed into receivership on 21 July 2022.[47]
