Editing FC Sion (section)

==History==
[[File:Sion Performance Graph.png|320px|thumb|Chart of FC Sion table positions in the Swiss football league system]]

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>{{cite web |url=http://www.fc-sion-live.ch/index.php?pageID=407d0e2e4baada7b96de4fb7f5af3a05 |title=FC Sion Official Club History (French) |access-date=13 September 2011 |publisher=FC Sion |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107011004/http://www.fc-sion-live.ch/index.php?pageID=407d0e2e4baada7b96de4fb7f5af3a05 |url-status=usurped }}</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 [[Swiss Challenge League|National League B]], followed five years later by promotion to the [[Swiss Super League|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 FC|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 [[BSC Young Boys|Young Boys]]), 1982 (against [[FC Basel|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 [[1991–92 Nationalliga A|1992]].

More success in the Swiss Cup followed, winning the tournament in three consecutive years from 1995 with victories over [[Grasshopper Club Zürich|Grasshopper]], Servette and [[FC Luzern|Luzern]]. Their win against Luzern in 1997 secured Sion their only [[Double (association football)|domestic double]], having also won the [[1996–97 Nationalliga A|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>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14547523.stm |title=Sion president the embodiment of a controversial club |access-date=13 September 2011 |last=McGuire |first=Annie |date=16 August 2011 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227113704/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14547523 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, He was rewarded with promotion back to the Super League, as well as a victory in the Swiss Cup,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geschichte und Statistik |url=https://www.fussball-schweiz.ch/schweizer-cup/geschichte-und-statistik/index.html |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=www.fussball-schweiz.ch |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404112734/https://www.fussball-schweiz.ch/schweizer-cup/geschichte-und-statistik/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming the first second-tier team to achieve this, with a 5–3 [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-out]] victory over Young Boys after a 1–1 draw.

===Transfer ban saga===
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>[http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/4267/5048/0/Award201880-1881.pdf CAS decision] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414212658/http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/4267/5048/0/Award201880-1881.pdf |date=14 April 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8079834.stm|title=El Hadary banned for four months|date=2 June 2009|access-date=5 September 2009|publisher=BBC|archive-date=5 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605141505/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8079834.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> due to El-Hadary still being under contract at his former club [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/administration/news/newsid=1079626.html |title=FC Sion and El Hadary lodge appeal |date=7 July 2009 |access-date=5 September 2009 |publisher=FIFA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710002810/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/administration/news/newsid%3D1079626.html |archive-date=10 July 2009 }}</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>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/administration/news/newsid=1367296/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107015113/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/administration/news/newsid=1367296/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2011|title=FIFA statement on Swiss Federal Court ruling|date=19 January 2011|access-date=30 October 2011|publisher=FIFA}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.football.ch/sfl/de/Transfers_ASL10_winter.aspx|title=Transferübersicht Axpo Super League&nbsp;– Saison 2010/11 (Winter)|access-date=30 October 2011|work=Swiss Football League|language=de|archive-date=16 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916163913/http://www.football.ch/sfl/de/Transfers_ASL10_winter.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although gaining a place in the qualifying round of the [[2011–12 UEFA Europa League]] by winning the previous season's [[2010–11 Swiss Cup|Swiss Cup]], Sion were excluded from the Europa League by [[UEFA]] after fielding ineligible players in their play-off victory against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0254-0d7d34a8e9b7-df498370fb03-1000--fc-sion-appeal-rejected/ |title=FC Sion appeal rejected |date=13 September 2011 |access-date=13 September 2011 |publisher=UEFA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015021905/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/disciplinary/news/newsid%3D1676562.html#fc+sion+appeal+rejected |archive-date=15 October 2011 }}</ref> On 2 September, the [[Swiss Football League]] (SFL) rejected the registration of one more player, Brian Amofa.<ref>[http://www.football.ch/sfl/fr/Newsticker_f.aspx La demande de qualification pour Amofa rejetée] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020134432/http://www.football.ch/sfl/fr/Newsticker_f.aspx |date=20 October 2011 }} 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 (footballer)|José Gonçalves]] and [[Gabri García|Gabri]], to comply with the ongoing legal process.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tas-cas.org/en/infogenerales.asp/4-3-5286-1092-4-1-1/5-0-1092-15-1-1/ |title=FOOTBALL&nbsp;– CASE FC SION / OLYMPIQUE DES ALPES SA / SFL: APPEAL WITHDRAWN |date=3 October 2011 |access-date=30 October 2011 |work=CAS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107025425/http://www.tas-cas.org/en/infogenerales.asp/4-3-5286-1092-4-1-1/5-0-1092-15-1-1 |archive-date=7 November 2011 }}</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>[http://www.football.ch/sfl/fr/Newsticker_f.aspx Le FC Sion débouté par le tribunal cantonal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020134432/http://www.football.ch/sfl/fr/Newsticker_f.aspx |date=20 October 2011 }} 8 September 2011</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01f6-0e7a4c052a23-4fd7a4bdc23e-1000--tribunal-cantonal-de-vaud-rejects-latest-court-request-fr/ |title=Tribunal Cantonal de Vaud rejects latest court request from FC Sion |date=18 October 2011 |access-date=30 October 2011 |publisher=UEFA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020150014/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/aboutuefa/news/newsid%3D1698937.html |archive-date=20 October 2011 }}</ref> The club's earlier appeal was dismissed by UEFA Appeals Body on 13 September.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0254-0d7d34a8e9b7-df498370fb03-1000--fc-sion-appeal-rejected/ |title=FC Sion appeal rejected |date=13 September 2011 |access-date=30 October 2011 |publisher=UEFA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015021905/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/disciplinary/news/newsid%3D1676562.html |archive-date=15 October 2011 }}</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>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01f6-0e7a96a835da-bb09b6b43871-1000--cas-sets-date-for-fc-sion-hearing/ |title=CAS sets date for FC Sion hearing |date=25 October 2011 |access-date=30 October 2011 |publisher=UEFA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027173730/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/aboutuefa/news/newsid%3D1705195.html |archive-date=27 October 2011 }}</ref>

On 25 October, the Discipline Commission ([[French language|fr]]: ''Commission de discipline'') of SFL suspended all six players for five matches.<ref>[http://www.football.ch/sfl/fr/Newsticker_f.aspx Un effet suspensif pour les 6 joueurs du FC Sion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020134432/http://www.football.ch/sfl/fr/Newsticker_f.aspx |date=20 October 2011 }} 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.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} On 27 October, as a "provisional and super-provisional measures",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01f6-0e7a3583905f-214fe8fd312e-1000--uefa-statement-on-fc-sion-case/ |title=UEFA statement on FC Sion case |date=15 October 2011 |access-date=30 October 2011 |publisher=UEFA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017153617/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/aboutuefa/news/newsid%3D1697191.html |archive-date=17 October 2011 }}</ref> UEFA invited Sion to a match schedule consultation once UEFA lost the legal battle.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01f6-0e7a9c91221b-bc9427678397-1000--uefa-invites-sion-to-match-schedule-consultation/ |title=UEFA invites Sion to match schedule consultation |date=27 October 2011 |access-date=30 October 2011 |publisher=UEFA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029193432/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/aboutuefa/news/newsid%3D1706242.html |archive-date=29 October 2011 }}</ref>

On 31 October 2011, Sion sent a complaint to the [[European Commission]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sport/FC_Sion_complains_to_European_Commission.html?cid=31473222|title=FC Sion complains to European Commission|date=31 October 2011|access-date=5 November 2011|work=swissinfo.ch|archive-date=19 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219051851/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sport/FC_Sion_complains_to_European_Commission.html?cid=31473222|url-status=live}}</ref> FIFA also won the legal battle in civil court in November. Previously, the civil court of [[Martigny]] and [[Saint-Maurice, Switzerland|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>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=1544648/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120175915/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=1544648/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 November 2011|title=FIFA wins case against Sion players|date=18 November 2011|access-date=3 January 2012|publisher=FIFA}}</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>[http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/5475/5048/0/dispositif20UEFA-OLA202574.pdf The Decision] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414212922/http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/5475/5048/0/dispositif20UEFA-OLA202574.pdf |date=14 April 2012 }}</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>[http://www.insideworldfootball.biz/worldfootball/europe/10088-switzerland-facing-international-exile-because-of-sion-affair Switzerland facing international exile because of Sion affair, Duncan McKay, Inside World Football, 17 December 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519064811/http://www.insideworldfootball.biz/worldfootball/europe/10088-switzerland-facing-international-exile-because-of-sion-affair |date=19 May 2012 }}</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>[http://www.insideworldfootball.biz/worldfootball/europe/10148-fc-sion-docked-36-points-by-sfv-following-fifa-row FC Sion docked 36 points by SFV following FIFA row, Andrew Warshaw, Inside World Football, 29 December 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519064954/http://www.insideworldfootball.biz/worldfootball/europe/10148-fc-sion-docked-36-points-by-sfv-following-fifa-row |date=19 May 2012 }}</ref>

Sion finished the [[2011–12 Swiss Super League|2011–12 season]] in ninth place, which qualified them to the relegation matches against [[FC Aarau|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 Swiss Super League|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 Swiss Super League|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 tier===
In 2022–23, Sion relegation to [[Swiss Challenge League|Challenge League]] after defeat from [[Stade Lausanne Ouchy]] 2-6 and ended top tier in 17 years. Following season, Sion secure promotion to [[Swiss Super League|Super League]] after defeat [[FC Schaffhausen]] 3–0 on 20 May 2024 as Champions of [[Swiss Challenge League|Challenge League]] for the first time in history in 2023–24 and return to top tier after a year absence.