Normandy's ES Aumale Advances in Coupe de France Thanks to Suspended Opponents

In a surprising twist in the 2026 Coupe de France, ES Aumale, a small football club from Normandy’s Départemental 2, has advanced to the third round despite heavy defeats in their first two matches. The club lost 8-1 against US Crielloise in the first round and 5-0 to EU FC in the second, but both opposing teams fielded players who were suspended, resulting in Aumale advancing by forfeit.

An anonymous whistleblower played a critical role by alerting ES Aumale about the suspensions following the first round. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that Crielloise’s top scorer, who netted six goals against Aumale, was suspended and should not have played. Acting on this information, Aumale filed a complaint and was granted a win for the first round despite the on-field loss. A similar situation occurred in the second round against EU FC, where another suspended player had participated. This second revelation again allowed Aumale to progress.

Antoine Le Gendre, president of ES Aumale, expressed surprise and gratitude for the whistleblower's intervention, noting the unusual path their team has taken in this renowned competition. He acknowledged that if the suspended players had not participated, the results might have been very different. Despite conceding thirteen goals and scoring only one across these matches, Aumale now prepares to face AS Gournay, a club two divisions above them, in the third round scheduled for September 13, 2026.

The club is seizing the opportunity with high spirits, dreaming ambitiously of a possible run to the final and even planning a celebratory night in Paris. The episode highlights the unpredictable nature of the Coupe de France and serves as a reminder of the importance of adherence to player eligibility rules.

ES Aumale’s extraordinary advancement under these circumstances has captured the attention of French football fans, with keen interest in how the club will fare next against stronger opposition.