Joël Lopez (footballer, born 1960)

Joël Lopez (born 30 October 1960) is a French former footballer who played as a midfielder.

Joël Lopez
Personal information
Full name Joël Lopez
Date of birth (1960-10-30) 30 October 1960 (age 63)
Place of birth Aressy, France
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Jeanne d'Arc
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1982 Pau
1982–1983 Châteauroux
1983–1984 Pau
1984–1985 Bordeaux
1985–1986 Mulhouse
1986–1987 Thonon
1987–1992 Pau
Managerial career
1999–2002 Pau
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career edit

Lopez, who played for Jeanne d'Arc at youth level, started his senior career with Pau in 1979, remaining until 1982 when he agreed to join Division 2 outfit Châteauroux.[1][2] Lopez completed a return to Pau a year later, prior to signing for Division 1 side Bordeaux.[3][2] The club won the title in his sole season there, qualifying for the 1985–86 European Cup.[2] However, Lopez departed Bordeaux at the beginning of 1985–86 to play in Division 2 for Mulhouse.[3] His stay lasted twelve months, preceding a period with Thonon between 1986 and 1987.[2] In the latter year, Lopez rejoined former team Pau for a third time.[3][2] Five years later, he retired from football.[3][2]

Non-playing career edit

In 2005, Lopez became president of Pau; having previously been a coach and the team's manager between 1999 and 2002.[2][4] He served for five years, before deciding not to continue his mandate.[4] December 2013 saw Lopez become acting president of Évian Thonon Gaillard; he was previously Évian's sporting director which followed a period working in recruitment.[3][5] Lopez, along with Julian and Pascal Dupraz, were summoned to court following allegations of fraud and forgery in 2015, when Lopez was dismissed by the club.[6][7] In 2017, Lopez and Pascal Dupraz were charged and fined €10,000; with Julian Dupraz being cleared.[8] Lopez later returned to Pau as vice-president.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ "Objectif maintien!" (PDF). ETG Mag. April 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "La Coupe de France a dynamisé l'équipe". Sud Ouest. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Joël Lopez nommé président d'Evian Thonon Gaillard". La Republique des Pyrenees. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Joël Lopez s'en va". Sud Ouest. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Joël Lopez (ETG): Que le bon sens l'emporte". Le Dauphiné libéré. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Pascal et Julien Dupraz, Joël Lopez, anciens cadres d'Evian-Thonon-Gaillard au tribunal correctionnel pour faux en écriture". France3. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Les anciens cadres de l'ETG FC ont défendu leur cause devant le tribunal de Thonon". Le Messager. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Pascal Dupraz et Joël Lopez condamnés par la cour d'appel de Chambéry". Le Messager. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  9. ^ "JOËL LOPEZ, VICE-PRÉSIDENT DU PAU FC : " ENVISAGER UNE REPRISE EST MALVENUE "". MaLigue2. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.

External links edit