RC Lens`s sporting director, Jean-Louis Leca, has issued a scathing critique of AJ Auxerre, following the club`s reversal on an agreement to sell Lassine Sinayoko (25) to the northern French side this summer.
An €8 million transfer for Sinayoko to Lens had appeared to be finalized, with various reports indicating that an agreement had been successfully reached between all involved parties. The Mali international was then slated to travel to Lens for a medical examination, after playing what was widely believed to be his final match for Auxerre against OGC Nice on Saturday, August 23rd.
However, Sinayoko never made it to the medical. According to L’Équipe, Auxerre inexplicably refused to grant him permission to travel, which ultimately led to the complete collapse of the transfer. It was widely reported that Les Diplomates (Auxerre`s popular nickname) experienced a sudden change of heart, fearing the loss of a key squad member, despite the fact that his contract had less than a year remaining. In the wake of this unexpected breakdown, Lens quickly adapted by securing the services of Odsonne Édouard (27).
During a candid interview on RMC Sport’s radio show Rothen s’enflamme, Leca did not mince words in his condemnation of Auxerre`s actions. He recounted the negotiation process to reporters, stating, “We conducted matters with proper procedure. We traveled there in person; we did not conduct this over the phone. I had a meal with their sporting director and president in Auxerre. We engaged in a three-hour negotiation session at the table.”
Leca further elaborated on the alleged coercive tactics employed by Auxerre, claiming, “They explicitly threatened the player, informing him that if he traveled, legal action would be pursued against him. The young man desperately wanted to join us, but he was left in an impossible situation. He was, effectively, taken hostage. When we witnessed this unfolding, I immediately declared, `Stop!`”
Concluding his forceful criticism, Leca underscored the profound breach of trust: “We shook hands. I distinctly remember telling them, `We are men, and I sincerely hope we will continue to conduct ourselves as men.` I shook hands with individuals who looked me directly in the eye and proclaimed, `We are men here in Auxerre.` Evidently, their actions proved otherwise.” This contentious and bitter saga has undoubtedly set the stage for a potentially very fiery and charged encounter when the two clubs are scheduled to clash in just one month`s time.
