2019–20 Championnat National 3

The 2019–20 Championnat National 3 was the third season of the fifth tier in the French football league system in its current format. The competition was contested by 168 clubs split geographically across 12 groups of 14 teams. The teams included amateur clubs (although a few are semi-professional) and the reserve teams of professional clubs. The season was suspended indefinitely on 12 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

Championnat National 3
Season2019–20
Dates17 August 2019 – 12 March 2020
Promoted13 teams
(see Season outcomes section)
Relegated36 teams
(see Season outcomes section)
Top goalscorer16 goals
Omar Wade, Gueugnon
Johanne Akassou, Versailles
Biggest home winHauts Lyonnais 9–1 Saint-Flour
Group M, Round 16, 15 February 2020
Biggest away winSarreguemines 0–9 Thaon
Group F, Round 10, 9 November 2019
Highest scoring10 goals
Hauts Lyonnais 9–1 Saint-Flour
Group M, Round 16, 15 February 2020
All statistics correct as of 10:23, 17 April 2020 (UTC).

On 16 April 2020, the FFF announced the termination of the competition, with promotion and relegation decided by points earned per game played, subject to the normal verification process by the financial authority, the DNCG.[2][3][4]

Teams

On 17 July, the French Football Federation ratified the constitution of the competition, and published the groups as follows:[5]

Teams promoted to Championnat National 3
RegionTeamMethod of qualification
Nouvelle-AquitaineChâtelleraultChampion, R1 Group A[8]
CognacChampion, R1 Group B[8]
Bassin d'ArcachonChampion, R1 Group C[9]
Pays de la LoirePouzaugesChampion, R1 Group A[10]
ChangéChampion, R1 Group B[11]
La ChâtaigneraiePlayoff winner[12]
Centre-Val de LoireSaint-Cyr-sur-LoireChampion, R1[13]
DreuxRunner-up, R1[13]
Saran3rd place, R1[13]
Méditerranée-CorsicaBalagneChampion, R1 Corsica[14][a]
EUGA Ardziv4th place, R1 Méditerranée[18][b]
Mandelieu5th place, R1 Méditerranée[18][b]
Bourgogne-Franche-ComtéSensChampion, R1 Pool A[20]
Valdahon-VercelChampion, R1 Pool B[20]
Roche-NovillarsRunner-up, R1 Pool B[20]
Grand EstPrix-lès-MézièresChampion, R1 Champagne-Ardenne[20]
Metz (res)Champion, R1 Lorraine[21]
Illkirch-GraffenstadenChampion, R1 Alsace[22]
OccitanieAuchChampion, R1 Group A[8]
Béziers (res)Champion, R1 Group B[23]
Aigues-MortesChampion, R1 Group C[24]
Hauts-de-FranceVimyChampion, R1 Group A[20]
Le PortelChmapion, R1 Group B[20]
Valenciennes (res)Best runner-up[20]
NormandyAG CaenChampion, R1 Pool A[8]
Grand-QuevillyChampion, R1 Pool B[8]
VireRunner-up, R1 Pool A[8]
BrittanyTréguncChampion, R1 Pool A[21]
GuichenRunner-up, R1 Pool B[23][c]
Ergué-GabéricRunner-up, R1 Pool A[21]
Paris Île-de-FranceSaint-LeuRunner-up, R1 Group A[25][d]
Noisy-le-GrandChampion, R1 Group B[26]
TorcyRunner-up, R1 Group B[25]
Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesLe Puy (res)Champion, R1 Ouest[27]
Hauts LyonnaisChampion, R1 Est[28]
Saint-FlourRunner-up, R1 Ouest[27]

Promotion and relegation

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.[29]

Reserve teams whose training centre are categorised as category 2B or lower cannot be promoted to Championnat National 2 by the rules of the competition. It was announced in November 2019 that the following reserve teams would be ineligible for promotion following the categorisation of their training centres:AC Ajaccio, Clermont, Dijon, Niort, Orléans and Paris FC.[30]

Special rule changes

Due to the premature cancellation of the season before completion, special rules were put in place by the FFF to rank clubs, superseding the normal competition rules.[31]

  • 1. Points per game completed
  • 2. Number of points gained in head-to-head matches (only where all scheduled matches between all tied teams have completed)
  • 3. Goal difference in head-to-head matches (only where all scheduled matches between all tied teams have completed)
  • 4. Number of away games completed, as a percentage of overall number of games completed
  • 5. Goal difference per game completed
  • 6. Goals scored per game completed
  • 7. Fair play
  • 8. Better classification, based on completion of the first set of round robin games (only if all clubs have completed at least one game against all other clubs)
  • 9. Drawing of lots

Regional governing bodies of each league (and the FFF itself for Group D) apply these criteria and publish final league tables.

League tables

Group A: Nouvelle-Aquitaine

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Mont-de-Marsan (P)189543630+61.78Promotion to National 2
2Bressuire177732715+121.65[a]
3Chauvigny177733123+81.65[a]
4Lège Cap Ferret187742920+91.56
5Bayonne[b]177642217+51.53
6Poitiers186933120+111.50
7Cognac175752027−71.29
8Bordeaux (res)185852324−11.28
9Anglet175662226−41.24
10Niort (res)174762124−31.12
11Châtellerault1862102430−61.11
12Pau (res) (R)174672025−51.06Relegation to Regional 1
13Mérignac Arlac (R)183871925−60.94
14Bassin d'Arcachon (R)1725102039−190.65
Source: Ligue de Football Nouvelle Aquitaine
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group B: Pays de la Loire

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Châteaubriant (P)171322328+242.41Promotion to National 2
2La Roche1813324611+352.33
3Saumur189453025+51.72
4Challans189362620+61.67
5Pouzauges[a]177642526−11.59
6Sablé188463430+41.56
7Laval (res)187383429+51.33
8La Châtaigneraie176472126−51.29
9Vertou[a]186573127+41.28
10Fontenay175572633−71.18
11Le Mans (res)1844101937−180.89
12Changé172692241−190.71
13Les Herbiers (res) (R)1826101728−110.67Relegation to Regional 1
14La Flèche (R)172510931−220.65
Source: Ligue de Football des Pays de la Loire
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group C: Centre-Val de Loire

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Tours[a] (D)1812514622+242.28
2Bourges 18 (P)178633221+111.76Promotion to National 2
3Avoine Chinon178453021+91.65
4Orléans (res)189273933+61.61
5Chartres (res)187743231+11.56
6Saran177462420+41.47
7Ouest Tourangeau186842920+91.44[b]
8Montlouis-sur-Loire[c]187832922+71.44[b]
9Vierzon187562926+31.44[b]
10Montargis[d]17485202001.12
11Châteauroux (res)1752102737−101.00
12Châteauneuf-sur-Loire1733111840−220.71
13Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire[e] (R)1833121641−250.61Relegation to Regional 1
14Dreux[f] (R)1623112037−170.50
Source: Ligue Centre-Val de Loire de Football
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(D) Denied promotion, see notes; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group D: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur-Corsica

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Athlético Marseille[a] (D)1812153823+152.06
2Aubagne (P)1810532814+141.94Promotion to National 2
3Lucciana189453829+91.72
4Istres18927292901.61
5AC Ajaccio (res)187742621+51.56
6Saint-Jean Beaulieu188282622+41.44[b]
7Côte Bleue186842623+31.44[b]
8Mandelieu187472125−41.39
9Furiani-Agliani186661719−21.33
10Cannes[c]186661813+51.28[d]
11Nice (res)[e]187382320+31.28[d]
12Gémenos (R)1842121734−170.78[f]Relegation to Regional 1
13EUGA Ardziv (R)1835101839−210.78[f]
14Balagne (R)1833122034−140.67
Source: fff.fr
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(D) Denied promotion, see notes; (P) Promoted, see notes; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group E: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Auxerre (res) (P)1714303712+252.65Promotion to National 2
2Gueugnon1812243720+172.11
3Besançon Football1812153313+202.06
4Dijon (res)189542716+111.78
5Racing Besançon168353424+101.69
6Pontarlier157172423+11.47
7Sochaux (res)176652723+41.41
8Morteau-Montlebon165381921−21.13
9Jura Dolois175481725−81.12
10Montceau[a]166282933−41.06
11Is-Selongey[b]175391732−150.88
12Valdahon-Vercel1742111630−140.82
13Sens (R)1826102040−200.67Relegation to Regional 1
14Roche-Novillars (R)1815121944−250.44
Source: Ligue de Football Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group F: Grand Est

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Metz (res) (P)1811433317+162.06Promotion to National 2
2Sarre-Union1710252920+91.88
3Thaon177553024+61.53
4Prix-lès-Mézières187652019+11.50
5ESTAC Troyes (res)187473226+61.39
6Raon-l'Étape166461921−21.38
7Biesheim187382826+21.33[a]
8RC Strasbourg (res)186662123−21.33[a]
9Amnéville187292630−41.28
10Illkirch-Graffenstaden175662322+11.24
11St-Louis Neuweg185671722−51.17
12ASPV Strasbourg[b] (R)165652527−21.13Relegation to Regional 1
13FCM Troyenne (R)175391822−41.06
14Sarreguemines (R)1835102648−220.78
Source: Ligue du Grant Est de Football
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group H: Occitanie

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Canet Roussillon (P)1812332916+132.17Promotion to National 2
2Balma187922315+81.67
3Agde1861022923+61.56
4Blagnac187562821+71.44[a]
5Muret186841516−11.44[a]
6Rodez (res)186753225+71.39[b]
7Fabrègues18747282801.39[b]
8Stade Beaucairois18675262601.39[b]
9Alès187383027+31.33
10Toulouse (res)185672426−21.17
11Aigues-Mortes[c] (R)185672124−31.11[d]Relegation to Regional 1
12Béziers (res) (R)185582537−121.11[d]
13Auch (R)184592032−120.94
14Rodéo (R)1832131630−140.61
Source: Ligue de Football d'Occitanie
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group I: Hauts-de-France

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Beauvais (P)169343016+141.88Promotion to National 2
2Vimy157441716+11.67
3Feignies Aulnoye177732010+101.65
4Olympique Marcquois166821912+71.63
5Maubeuge177642616+101.59
6Le Touquet166461421−71.38
7Valenciennes (res)17728212101.35
8AC Amiens[a]165742322+11.31
9Boulogne (res)165471826−81.19[b]
10Amiens SC (res)164752224−21.19[b]
11Le Portel (R)154382128−71.00[c]Relegation to Regional 1
12Grande-Synthe (R)163761922−31.00[c]
13Arras (R)153571220−80.93
14Chambly (res) (R)163581321−80.88
Source: Ligue de Football des Hauts-de-France
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group J: Normandy

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1SM Caen (res) (P)1812333120+112.17Promotion to National 2
2Évreux178632518+71.76
3Le Havre (res)168442815+131.75
4Saint-Lô178543726+111.71
5AG Caen177552425−11.53[a]
6Vire156542622+41.53[a]
7Cherbourg[b]169253120+111.44[c]
8Alençon166553326+71.44[c]
9Dieppe166372326−31.31
10Avranches (res)176472938−91.29
11Quevilly-Rouen (res)1752102336−131.00
12Grand-Quevilly (R)1843112837−90.83Relegation to Regional 1
13Pacy Ménilles[d] (R)1734102241−190.71
14Gonfreville (R)1521121929−100.47
Source: Ligue de Football de Normandie
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group K: Brittany

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Plabennec (P)1811523925+142.11Promotion to National 2
2Pontivy1810532812+161.94
3TA Rennes1810443818+201.89
4Dinan-Léhon189633918+211.83
5Rennes (res)1861023023+71.56[a]
6Saint-Colomban Locminé1861022414+101.56[a]
7Brest (res)18747333301.39
8Stade Pontivyen185942122−11.33
9Plouzané185492033−131.06
10Lannion183961923−41.00
11Fougères183872334−110.94
12Trégunc (R)182791634−180.72Relegation to Regional 1
13Ergué-Gabéric (R)1833122041−210.67
14Guichen (R)1816111030−200.50
Source: Ligue Bretagne de Football
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group L: Île-de-France

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Versailles (P)181332357+282.33Promotion to National 2
2Ivry181242259+162.22
3Paris FC (res)189362619+71.67
4Créteil (res)178452014+61.65
5Racing Club177552515+101.53
6Blanc-Mesnil177461418−41.47
7Les Ulis176652724+31.41
8Les Mureaux176381718−11.24[a]
9Aubervilliers175661720−31.24[a]
10Paris Saint-Germain (res)175572124−31.18
11Torcy (R)174581724−71.00Relegation to Regional 1
12Noisy-le-Grand (R)1844101329−160.89
13Saint-Leu (R)1842121126−150.78
14Boulogne-Billancourt[b] (R)182610829−210.39
Source: Ligue de Paris Île-de-France
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Group M: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPPGPromotion or relegation
1Rumilly-Vallières (P)1812244319+242.11[a]Promotion to National 2
2Hauts Lyonnais1812244622+242.11[a]
3Limonest1810443119+121.89
4Montluçon1810352014+61.83
5Vaulx-en-Velin188642317+61.67
6Bourgoin-Jallieu188552620+61.61
7Lyon-Duchère (res)186571721−41.28
8Ain Sud185762325−21.22
9Clermont (res)184862125−41.11[b]
10Chambéry184861524−91.11[b]
11Le Puy (res)[c] (R)185491527−121.06Relegation to Regional 1
12Aurillac[c]184592322+10.94
13Thiers (R)1843111634−180.83Relegation to Regional 1
14Saint-Flour (R)1814132050−300.39
Source: Ligue Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes de Football
Rules for classification: see Special rule changes section
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Top scorers

As of the termination of the season. [58]
RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Omar WadeGueugnon16
Johanne AkassouVersailles
3 Nelson KabeyaSablé15
Tony LambardSaint-Lô Manche
5 Pierre GrellierBressuire14
Florian JéguDinan-Léhon
Arthur DalloisVire
Alexis PoissonneauTA Rennes
9 Yanis BegraouiAuxerre (res)13
Pape Ibnou BâAthlético Marseille
David GigliottiIstres
Thomas VauvySaint-Lô Manche
Charly CharrierLa Roche

Season outcomes

Promotion

Mont-de-Marsan, Châteaubriant, Bourges 18, Auxerre (res), Metz (res), Canet Roussillon, Beauvais, SM Caen (res), Plabennec, Versailles and Rumilly-Vallières finished in the promotion places, and were promoted to 2020–21 Championnat National 2, subject to ratification by the FFF and DNCG.

Athlético Marseille finished in a promotion place, but were initially denied promotion by the Commission Régionale de Contrôle des Clubs (CRCC) of the Ligue de Méditerranée and additionally administratively relegated to Régional 2 for financial irregularities. Their place was to have been taken by Aubagne.[40] On 6 July 2020, the appeal committee of the Direction National du Controle de Gestion overturned this decision, and returned the file to the CRCC for reconsideration, putting the promotion position in Group D on hold.[41] On 15 July 2020, the CRCC again denied the club promotion, handing the place back to Aubagne.[42] The club appealed again, and on 27 July 2020 the appeal committee of the DNCG confirmed the promotion.[43] Three days later, the disciplinary committee of the FFF announced that they were demoting the club back to National 3, due to the production of fraudulent documentation at the end of the 2018–19 season.[44]

Tours finished in a promotion place, but were denied promotion by the Direction National du Controle de Gestion of the FFF. Their place was taken by Bourges 18.[34][35]

Relegation

Bassin d'Arcachon, Pau (res), Mérignac Arlac, Les Herbiers (res), La Flèche, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, Dreux, Gémenos, EUGA Ardziv, Balagne, Sens, Roche-Novillars, FCM Troyenne, Sarreguemines, Aigues-Mortes, Béziers (res), Auch, Rodéo, Grande-Synthe, Le Portel, Chambly (res), Arras, Grand-Quevilly, Pacy Ménilles, Gonfreville, Trégunc, Ergué-Gabéric, Guichen, Torcy, Noisy-le-Grand, Saint-Leu, Boulogne-Billancourt, Le Puy (res), Aurillac, Thiers and Saint-Flour finished in the relegation places and were relegated to the top division of their respective regional leagues, subject to any reprieves detailed in the next section.

ASPV Strasbourg were confirmed as relegated on 6 July 2020, due to the confirmation on appeal of the relegation of Mulhouse from Championnat National 2.[50]

Reprieves

Aurillac were reprieved from relegation on 16 June 2020, when Mulhouse were administratively relegated from Championnat National 2, which led to the reprieve from relegation of Saint-Priest.[57]

A team may be reprieved in Group D following the eventual promotion of Athlético Marseille, however Gémenos have indicated they would reject this reprieve.[43]

References