FC Sion
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Football Club Sion, commonly known as simply FC Sion or Sion, is a Swiss football club from the city of Sion. The club was founded in 1909 and play their home matches at the Stade Tourbillon. They have won the Swiss Super League and the Swiss Cup in 13 of their 14 appearances in the final, the most recent being in 2015. The first team of the club was also known as their incorporated name Olympique des Alpes SA. The club set to play in the Super League from 2024 to 2025, the top tier of Swiss football after promotion from Challenge League in 2023–24.
HistoryEdit
FC Sion were founded in 1909 by Robert Gilliard, who became club captain, and played their first match the same year, a 3–2 win against FC Aigle.<ref name=Officialwebsite>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The club grew thanks to contributions from locals, and played their first competitive league fixture in 1914, again a 3–2 victory, against FC Monthey. In 1919, Sion formally organised its managerial structure, with Gilliard becoming vice-president and Charles Aymon taking the presidency.<ref name=Officialwebsite />
From 1932, Sion played in the fourth tier of Swiss football, where they spent much of the next 20 years, briefly interrupted by promotion to the third tier in 1944, quickly followed by relegation in 1946. In 1952, Sion returned to the third tier. Five years later, Sion gained promotion again to the National League B, followed five years later by promotion to the National League A (now the Swiss Super League) in 1962.<ref name=Officialwebsite /> 1965 saw the first of Sion's Swiss Cup wins following a 2–1 victory over Servette.
The 16,263 capacity Stade Tourbillon was officially opened in August 1968, but the club was relegated in 1969. Sion returned to the National League A at the first attempt and secured a second victory in the Swiss Cup, winning 3–2 against Neuchâtel Xamax in 1974. Sion would go on to consistently perform well in the Swiss Cup, with victories in 1980 (against Young Boys), 1982 (against Basel), 1986 (against Servette) and 1991 (against Young Boys).<ref name=Officialwebsite /> This period of success also saw the renovation and expansion of the Tourbillon in 1989, and was crowned with Sion's first Swiss League Championship in 1992.
More success in the Swiss Cup followed, winning the tournament in three consecutive years from 1995 with victories over Grasshopper, Servette and Luzern. Their win against Luzern in 1997 secured Sion their only domestic double, having also won the Swiss League.<ref name=Officialwebsite />
However, the club quickly fell into financial trouble, and having narrowly avoided bankruptcy due to its purchase by Gilbert Kadji, the club suffered relegation in 1999. Despite returning to the top division the following season, financial problems plagued the team, culminating in relegation in 2001, the departure of Kadji and a denial of a professional license in 2003. The club was saved by architect and former footballer Christian Constantin, and they were re-instated into the second division in October 2003.
Constantin spent the following seasons rebuilding the club, with the club going through 20 managers in the following eight years, including taking the role himself twice, in a bid to financially stabilize.<ref name=BBCSion>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2006, He was rewarded with promotion back to the Super League, as well as a victory in the Swiss Cup,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> becoming the first second-tier team to achieve this, with a 5–3 penalty shoot-out victory over Young Boys after a 1–1 draw.
Transfer ban sagaEdit
In 2008, controversy came to Sion when they signed Essam El Hadary, leading to a two-year "registration period" ban for Sion from June 2009, and an international playing ban for El Hadary for four months,<ref>CAS decision Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> due to El-Hadary still being under contract at his former club Al Ahly.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sion appealed this action, but the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland confirmed the FIFA, DRC and Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decisions in 2009 and 2010 respectively.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the lengthy legal battle (including the temporary reprieve) meant the ban was only practically instituted beginning in the winter transfer window of the 2010–11 season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Although gaining a place in the qualifying round of the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League by winning the previous season's Swiss Cup, Sion were excluded from the Europa League by UEFA after fielding ineligible players in their play-off victory against Celtic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 2 September, the Swiss Football League (SFL) rejected the registration of one more player, Brian Amofa.<ref>La demande de qualification pour Amofa rejetée Template:Webarchive 2 September 2011</ref>
On 30 September 2011, the SFL decided to provisionally qualify the six new signings, namely Stefan Glarner, Billy Ketkeophomphone, Mario Mutsch, Pascal Feindouno, José Gonçalves and Gabri, to comply with the ongoing legal process.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sion also sued the SFL and UEFA respectively in the Tribunal Cantonal de Valais and the Tribunal in Vaud, however both actions were dismissed.<ref>Le FC Sion débouté par le tribunal cantonal Template:Webarchive 8 September 2011</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The club's earlier appeal was dismissed by UEFA Appeals Body on 13 September.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sion also sued the SFL and UEFA in the CAS, but withdrew the former claim. The hearing of the latter claim was set on 24 November.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 25 October, the Discipline Commission (fr: Commission de discipline) of SFL suspended all six players for five matches.<ref>Un effet suspensif pour les 6 joueurs du FC Sion Template:Webarchive 25 October 2011</ref> It was reported that each player filed their legal claim in civil court instead of using the Swiss FA and CAS "sports court" system, which the ban was requested by FIFA.Template:Citation needed On 27 October, as a "provisional and super-provisional measures",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> UEFA invited Sion to a match schedule consultation once UEFA lost the legal battle.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 31 October 2011, Sion sent a complaint to the European Commission.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> FIFA also won the legal battle in civil court in November. Previously, the civil court of Martigny and Saint-Maurice (both of the city of Valais) ordered FIFA to confirm the signing of those six players on 3 August, a consequence of lawsuit brought out by the players. On 16 November, FIFA and the SFL appeal was upheld in the Valais canton court.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 15 December, the CAS upheld the complaints by UEFA, affirming its right to discipline Sion according to previous agreements. The CAS also lifted the provisional measures ordered by the Tribunal Cantonal of Vaud (Cour civile) on 5 October 2011.<ref>The Decision Template:Webarchive</ref> After the ruling, FIFA threatened to suspend Swiss national and club teams from international competition if Sion were not appropriately penalized for its ostensible rules violations.<ref>Switzerland facing international exile because of Sion affair, Duncan McKay, Inside World Football, 17 December 2011 Template:Webarchive</ref> In late December 2011, the Swiss Football Association complied with FIFA's demands and penalized Sion 36 standings points (based on how many matches ineligible players were involved), moving the club to last place in the league standings and putting the club at risk of relegation if the ruling stood.<ref>FC Sion docked 36 points by SFV following FIFA row, Andrew Warshaw, Inside World Football, 29 December 2011 Template:Webarchive</ref>
Sion finished the 2011–12 season in ninth place, which qualified them to the relegation matches against Aarau, whom they defeated 2–1 on aggregate to stay in the Swiss Super League. Without suffering their 36-point deduction Sion would have finished in the third place, which would have qualified them into the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League. Prior to the start of the 2012–13 season, they made a major coup by signing Gennaro Gattuso and Kyle Lafferty, both via free transfers. However, the club had a disappointing season which saw them change coaches three times before settling on Gattuso to finish the season, ending in third place.
Sion finished the 2014–15 season in second place as runner-up, which qualified to the UEFA Europa League Group Stage for the first time in history from next season. In 2015–16, Sion reached to Round of 32 Europa League until Eliminated by S.C. Braga with aggregate 3–4.
Suffering relegation and return to top tierEdit
In 2022–23, Sion relegation to Challenge League after defeat from Stade Lausanne Ouchy 2-6 and ended top tier in 17 years. Following season, Sion secure promotion to Super League after defeat FC Schaffhausen 3–0 on 20 May 2024 as Champions of Challenge League for the first time in history in 2023–24 and return to top tier after a year absence.
HonoursEdit
Sion held the distinction of having never lost a domestic cup final, with 13 wins in 13 appearances in the Swiss Cup, until a defeat by Basel in the 2017 edition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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- Swiss Challenge League
- Champions (1): 2023–24
- Swiss Cup
StadiumEdit
Sion play their home matches at the multi-purpose Stade Tourbillon, which has a capacity of 14,500. It was originally constructed in 1968, and was renovated in 1989 and 2012. The club also has a training centre near its office in Martigny and a youth development center in nearby Riddes.
PlayersEdit
Current squadEdit
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Out on loanEdit
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Former playersEdit
- Template:Flagicon Izzet Akgül
- Template:Flagicon Alex Song
- Template:Flagicon Roberts Uldriķis
- Template:Flagicon Mario Balotelli
- Template:Flagicon Gennaro Gattuso
- Template:Flagicon Adryan
- Template:Flagicon Matheus Cunha
- Template:Flagicon Wylan Cyprien
Club officialsEdit
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| President | Template:Flagicon Christian Constantin |
| Vice-president | Template:Flagicon Gelson Fernandes |
| Chief Executive Officer | Template:Flagicon Massimo Cosentino |
| Sporting CEO | Template:Flagicon Barthélémy Constantin |
| Team Manager | Template:Flagicon Christian Lurati |
| Manager | Template:Flagicon Didier Tholot |
| Assistant manager | Template:Flagicon Lucien Duverne |
| First-team coach | Template:Flagicon François Bastien |
| Goalkeeping coach | Template:Flagicon Pierre De Kalbermatten Template:Flagicon Massimo Colomba |
| Fitness coach | Template:Flagicon Mattia Garrone |
| Video analyst | Template:Flagicon Antoine Monsieur |
| Director of Development | Template:Flagicon Pablo Iglesias |
| Club doctor | Template:Flagicon Baptiste Graoully |
| Physiotherapist | Template:Flagicon Raoul Caserne Template:Flagicon Simon Herzhaft Template:Flagicon Étienne Sommelier Template:Flagicon Luca Valente Template:Flagicon Paolo Bilello Template:Flagicon Yoann Demangeot |
| Masseur | Template:Flagicon Malk Husseine |
| Kit Manager | Template:Flagicon Felix Volken |
Historical list of coachesEdit
- Template:Flagicon Vittorio Barberis (1947–49)
- Carlo Pinter (1949–51)
- Joseph Wuilloud (1951–52)
- Henri Humbert & Mathey (1952–53)
- Paul Allégroz (1953–54)
- Henri Humbert (1954–55)
- Jacques Guhl (1955–59)
- Template:Flagicon Frank Séchehaye (1959–61)
- Template:Flagicon Karl-Heinz Spikofski (July 1961 – March 63)
- Template:Flagicon Lev Mantula (March 1963 – July 67)
- Template:Flagicon Stojan Osojnak (July 1967 – Nov 68)
- Template:Flagicon Peter Rösch (Nov 1968 – July 70)
- Maurice Meylan (July 1970 – Sept 71)
- Template:Flagicon Miroslav Blažević (Sept 1971 – July 76)
- Template:Flagicon István Szabó (1976–79)
- Template:Flagicon Daniel Jeandupeux (1 July 1979 – 30 June 1980)
- Template:Flagicon Oscar Fulloné (1980–81)
- Template:Flagicon Jean-Claude Donzé (July 1981 – Jan 88)
- Template:Flagicon Péter Pázmándy (Jan 1988 – July 89)
- Yves Débonnaire (1989–90)
- Template:Flagicon Enzo Trossero (1990–92)
- Template:Flagicon Jean-Paul Brigger (1 July 1992 – 31 Dec 1992)
- Template:Flagicon Claude Andrey (Jan 1993 – July 93)
- Template:Flagicon Umberto Barberis (1 July 1993 – Oct 94)
- Template:Flagicon Jean-Claude Richard (1 Oct 1994 – 30 June 1995)
- Template:Flagicon Michel Decastel (1 July 1995 – 30 June 1996)
- Template:Flagicon Jean-Claude Richard (1 Aug 1996 – 30 Aug 1996)
- Template:Flagicon Alberto Bigon (10 Aug 1996 – 19 Oct 1997)
- Template:Flagicon Jean-Claude Richard (Sept 1, 1997 – 30 March 1998)
- Template:Flagicon Jochen Dries (March 1998 – Nov 98)
- Template:Flagicon Charly In-Albon (Nov 1998 – March 99)
- Template:Flagicon Olivier Rouyer (March 1999 – July 99)
- Template:Flagicon Roberto Morinini (1 July 1999 – 30 Nov 1999)
- Template:Flagicon Henri Stambouli (5 Jan 2000 – 14 July 2001)
- Template:Flagicon Laurent Roussey (1 July 2001 – 30 June 2002)
- Template:Flagicon Jean-Claude Richard (1 July 2002 – 30 March 2003)
- Template:Flagicon Charly Rössli (1 Jan 2003 – 30 June 2003)
- Template:Flagicon Didier Tholot (1 July 2003 – 3 Nov)
- Template:Flagicon Didier Tholot & Template:Flagicon Guy David (Nov 2003 – 4 Jan)
- Template:Flagicon Didier Tholot, Template:Flagicon Guy David & Ami Rebord
(Jan 2004 – 30 June 2004) - Template:Flagicon Admir Smajić (20 April 2004 – 30 June 2004)
- Template:Flagicon Christian Zermatten (1 July 2004 – 10 Aug 2004)
- Template:Flagicon Gilbert Gress (9 Aug 2004 – 27 March 2005)
- Template:Flagicon Gianni Dellacasa (27 March 2005 – 16 Oct 2005)
- Template:Flagicon Christophe Moulin (19 Oct 2005 – 1 May 2006)
- Template:Flagicon Néstor Clausen (1 July 2006 – 1 Oct 2006)
- Template:Flagicon Christophe Moulin (interim) (Oct 2006)
- Template:Flagicon Marco Schällibaum (6 Oct 2006 – 21 Nov 2006)
- Template:Flagicon Pierre-Albert Chapuisat (21 Nov 2006 – 19 Feb 2007)
- Template:Flagicon Alberto Bigon (19 Feb 2007 – 13 Dec 2007)
- Template:Flagicon Charly Rössli (18 Dec 2007 – 25 March 2008)
- Template:Flagicon Alberto Bigon (March 2008 – 8 May)
- Template:Flagicon Uli Stielike (1 July 2008 – 3 Nov 2008)
- Template:Flagicon Christian Constantin (interim) (Nov 2008 – 8 Dec)
- Template:Flagicon Christian Zermatten & Template:Flagicon Umberto Barberis
(24 Dec 2008 – 10 April 2009) - Template:Flagicon Christian Constantin (interim) (April 2009)
- Template:Flagicon Didier Tholot (14 April 2009 – 21 May 2010)
- Template:Flagicon Bernard Challandes (1 July 2010 – 22 Feb 2011)
- Template:Flagicon Laurent Roussey (22 Feb 2011 – 23 April 2012)
- Template:Flagicon Rolland Courbis (interim) (2 April 2012 – 5 June 2012)
- Template:Flagicon Vladimir Petković (15 May 2012 – 2 June 2012)
- Template:Flagicon Sébastien Fournier (1 June 2012 – Sept 3, 2012)
- Template:Flagicon Michel Decastel (Sept 4, 2012 – 30 Oct 2012)
- Template:Flagicon Pierre-André Schürmann (30 Oct 2012 – 10 Dec 2012)
- Template:Flagicon Víctor Muñoz (1 Jan 2013 – 25 Feb 2013)
- Template:Flagicon Gennaro Gattuso (25 Feb 2013 – 25 March 2013)
- Template:Flagicon Luigi Riccio (interim) (1 March 2013 – 24 March 2013)
- Template:Flagicon Arno Rossini (26 March 2013 – 13 May 2013)
- Template:Flagicon Michel Decastel (15 May 2013 – 21 Oct 2013)
- Template:Flagicon Laurent Roussey (22 Oct 2013 – 11 Feb 2014)
- Template:Flagicon Raimondo Ponte (11 Feb 2014 – 5 Jun 2014)
- Template:Flagicon Claudio Gentile (5 Jun 2014 – 12 Jun 2014)
- Template:Flagicon Frédéric Chassot (12 Jun 2014 – 28 Sep 2014)
- Template:Flagicon Jochen Dries (28 Sep 2014 – 8 Dec 2014)
- Template:Flagicon Didier Tholot (17 Dec 2014 – 12 Aug 2016)
- Template:Flagicon Peter Zeidler (22 Aug 2016 – 25 Apr 2017)
- Template:Flagicon Sébastien Fournier (25 Apr 2017 – 15 Jun 2017)
- Template:Flagicon Paolo Tramezzani (15 Jun 2017 – 22 Oct 2017)
- Template:Flagicon Gabri García (25 Oct 2017 – 6 Feb 2018)
- Template:Flagicon Maurizio Jacobacci (6 Feb 2018 – 17 Sep 2018)
- Template:Flagicon Murat Yakin (17 Sep 2018 – 7 May 2019)
- Template:Flagicon Christian Zermatten (interim) (8 May 2019 – 30 June 2019)
- Template:Flagicon Stéphane Henchoz (1 July 2019 – 3 Nov 2019)
- Template:Flagicon Christian Zermatten (interim) (4 Nov 2019 – 31 Dec 2019)
- Template:Flagicon Ricardo Dionisio (1 Jan 2020 – 3 June 2020)
- Template:Flagicon Paolo Tramezzani (3 June 2020 – 7 Aug 2020)
- Template:Flagicon Fabio Grosso (25 Aug 2020 – 5 Mar 2021)
- Template:Flagicon Ugo Raczynski (interim) (5 Mar 2021 – 16 Mar 2021)
- Template:Flagicon Marco Walker (16 Mar 2021 – 8 Oct 2021)
- Template:Flagicon Paolo Tramezzani (9 Oct 2021 – 20 Nov 2022)
- Template:Flagicon Fabio Celestini (21 Nov 2022 – 3 Mar 2023)
- Template:Flagicon David Bettoni (7 Mar 2023 – 15 May 2023)
- Template:Flagicon Paolo Tramezzani (16 May 2023 – 15 June 2023)
- Template:Flagicon Didier Tholot (15 June 2023 – Present)
European recordEdit
- Notes
- Note 1: Celtic lodged protests over the eligibility of a number of the Sion players who participated in the two legs of the play-off round, which Sion won 3–1 aggregate (first leg: 0–0; second leg: 3–1). The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body accepted the protests and decided to award both matches to Celtic by forfeit (3–0). As a consequence, Celtic qualified for the UEFA Europa League group stage.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>