Champions League
Cahuzac secures exceptional waiver to lead Lens against Sporting in Champions League
As the floodlights blaze over Stade Bollaert, RC Lens prepare for a pivotal Champions League night. Yannick Cahuzac will take charge of the Sang et Or against Sporting Portugal at 18:45 on Tuesday, despite a training course for his professional coaching licence that was due to start the same day.
Exceptional training exemption
The BEPF programme originally required Cahuzac to be at Clairefontaine from Tuesday to Thursday, a clash that would have left him unable to oversee the match. After negotiations, the federation granted a one‑off exemption, allowing him to sit on the bench on Tuesday evening before resuming his studies on Wednesday morning.
Staff support and club backing
Jacky Bonnevay, one of the BEPF instructors, explained that match preparation must take precedence, adding, “We give him a lot of flexibility; the absolute priority is his match preparation. He will connect when he can, we trust him and do not put pressure on him.” Benjamin Parrot, RC Lens’ general director, confirmed the club’s role in securing the arrangement, noting that the staff – Vincent Carlier, Bilal Hamdi and Éric Sikora – will maintain continuity while Cahuzac is away.
“It is up to me and my training to adapt,” Cahuzac said, acknowledging the unusual schedule. Mais, the club’s technical director, highlighted that such flexibility may become a recurring theme as the season progresses, with further BEPF sessions already on the calendar.
The match itself marks the second group‑stage fixture for Sporting Portugal in the Champions League. Lens, nicknamed the Sang et Or, will host the Portuguese side in what promises to be a “great European evening” for the French side.
Should the exemption hold, Cahuzac will be present for the pre‑match routine, then travel to Clairefontaine on Wednesday to continue his coursework, which includes mental‑strength sessions led by FFF psychologist Chloé Leprince.
With the immediate hurdle cleared, the focus now shifts to the tactical battle at Bollaert, where Lens hope to capitalise on home advantage and the momentum of their recent Ligue 1 performances.