“I’m not letting go of the club”: Les Sables Vendée Football president responds to administrative relegation to R1
Fabrice Houlé, president of Les Sables Vendée Football, has denied rumors that he resigned after the club was administratively relegated to Régional 1 by the DNCG on May 28. Speaking on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Houlé said he remains in place and intends to take responsibility for the situation rather than step away at a critical moment.
The decision by the French football financial watchdog came as a shock to the club and sparked concern among supporters, especially after posts on social media suggested that Houlé had quit. He moved quickly to correct that narrative, stressing that no resignation has been submitted and that the club’s leadership remains active as it prepares its appeal. Houlé said he wants to focus on the next steps instead of the public speculation surrounding the announcement.
The relegation was a major setback for Les Sables Vendée Football, which now faces the challenge of defending its position through the appeals process. Houlé expressed confidence that the club can still overturn the ruling, indicating that he believes the case has not yet been fully decided. His comments were aimed at reassuring members, supporters and observers that the club is not giving up and that its leadership is working to address the situation.
The controversy has also highlighted how quickly misinformation can spread online when a club faces financial or administrative sanctions. In this case, the president felt compelled to publicly clarify his status after false reports of a resignation circulated on social platforms. By doing so, he sought to restore confidence and bring attention back to the formal process under way.
While the future of Les Sables Vendée Football remains uncertain, Houlé’s message was one of continuity and determination. He signaled that he will stay involved, oversee the response to the DNCG’s decision and support the club through the appeal. For now, the club is waiting on the next stage of proceedings, with its management hoping for a favorable outcome that would allow it to avoid dropping to Régional 1.
