The 2010–11 Championnat de France amateur was the 13th edition since its establishment. Colmar were the defending champions. Due to the elongated appeals process involving each clubs' eligibility, the groups and fixtures were unveiled to the public on 15 July 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 28 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 18 December and 15 January 2011. There were 12 promoted teams from the Championnat de France amateur 2, replacing the 13 teams that were relegated from the Championnat de France amateur following the 2009–10 season. A total of 69 teams currently competes in the league with 12 clubs suffering relegation to the fifth division, the Championnat de France amateur 2. All non-reserve clubs that secured league status for the season were subject to approval by the DNCG before becoming eligible to participate in the competition.The DNCG is responsible for overseeing the legal and financial accounts of football clubs in France. If clubs operating in French football don't meet the DNCG's expectations, they can face sanctions, such as relegation.
On 7 May 2011, despite having the week off, Le Poiré-sur-Vie became the first club from the Championnat de France amateur to achieve promotion from the fourth division to the Championnat National. The club's spot in the third division was confirmed following second-place Les Herbiers' 0–0 draw with the reserve team of professional club Lorient. Two weeks later, both Besançon and Gazélec Ajaccio were promoted to the Championnat National after recording victories during the match day. Gazélec Ajaccio result also rewarded the club the honour of being the champion of the Championnat de France amateur. On the final day of the season, Quevilly became the final club in the CFA to earn promotion to National after drawing with Poissy.
Changes in 2010–11
Promotion and relegation Teams relegated to Championnat de France amateur Moulins Hyères Louhans-Cuiseaux
Teams promoted to Championnat de France amateur Aubervilliers Avion Belfort Béziers Lorient Reserves Metz Reserves AS Monaco Reserves Monts d'Or Azergues Le Poiré-sur-Vie Poissy Saint-Étienne Reserves Saint-Pryvé Saint-Hilaire Tarbes Pyrénées Football Uzès Pont du Gard
DNCG rulings On 15 June 2010, following a review of each club's administrative and financial accounts in the Championnat de France amateur, the DNCG ruled that Besançon RC, Hyères FC, CS Louhans-Cuiseaux, FC Montceau Bourgogne, EDS Montluçon, Olympique Noisy-le-Sec, and RCF Paris would be relegated to the Championnat de France amateur 2. The organization also ruled that newly promoted club Calais RUFC would be excluded from ascending up to the fourth division, while SO Cassis Carnoux, which had been relegated to the CFA from the Championnat National, would also be excluded from the league. The second place club in Calais' group, CMS Oissel, who was set to replace Calais was also denied promotion to the Championnat de France amateur. All clubs had the option to appeal the decision.
On 2 July, local media in Alsace reported that Strasbourg were on the verge of being relegated to the Championnat de France amateur by the DNCG due to financial issues. The club responded by announcing its willingness to appeal if the news reported was confirmed. With the club's accounts still being reviewed, Strasbourg's financial issues were slightly alleviated after the sale of striker Magaye Gueye to English club Everton for €1.4 million. Strasbourg later transferred captain Guillaume Lacour and Algerian international Yacine Bezzaz to Évian and Troyes, respectively, for nominal fees. On 16 July, the report was confirmed when the DNCG officially relegated Strasbourg to the CFA. Strasbourg appealed the decision the following week. On 22 July, Strasbourg's appeal was successful with the DNCG ruling in favor of a return to National.
On 7 July, Besançon, Hyères, and Oissel's appeals were heard by the DNCG Appeals Committee. Following deliberation and explanations from each club, the committee ruled in favor of Besançon, but upheld the appeals of Hyères and Oissel. The following day, the appeals committee granted both Louhans-Cuiseaux and Noisy-le-Sec appeals to stay in the fourth division. However, the committee, upheld the rulings of Calais, Montceau Bourgogne, Montluçon, and Racing Paris.
League tables
Group A
Results
Group B
Results
Group C
Results
Group D
Results
Playoffs
Semi-finals
Final
Top goalscorers Last updated: 7 March 2011 + Group ARankScorerClubGoals1 Rémy DugimontPoissy10 Riyad MahrezLe Havre B103 Stéphane BoulilaAubervilliers8 Steve MarletAubervilliers8 Romain PastorelliCA Bastia86 Joris ColinetQuevilly77 Nourdine AguiniQuevilly6 Kossingou BalamandjiVillemomble69 Rémy ArnouxCA Bastia5 Pierrick CapelleAvion5
+ Group B RankScorerClubGoals1 Khalid SouhayliMulhouse112 Bruno BarretoVillefranche93 Jean BahebeckParis SG B8 Boris BerraudBourg-Péronnas8 Júlio TavaresBourg-Péronnas86 Sébastien ChéréÉpinal7 Mustapha LouhkiarMulhouse78 Romain BarbetBourg-Péronnas6 Kalen DamessiJura Sud6 Rafaël DiasSochaux B6
+ Group C RankScorerClubGoals1 Samir BenmezianeLe Pontet152 Jean-Mathieu DescampsMartigues11 Tony Do Pilar PatraoHyères11 Seydou KonéPau115 Yannick ChabaudLe Pontet9 Grégory FirquetToulon9 Malik RouagAlbi98 Florian RaspentinoAgde8 Idriss SaadiSaint-Étienne B810 Quentin BoessoGazélec Ajaccio7
+ Group DRankScorerClubGoals1 Adama SarrLorient102 Jonathan BéhéLe Mans B93 Farid El AlaguiRomorantin8 Romain DupuyLes Herbiers85 Walid AïchourViry-Châtillon7 Gaëtan CourtetLorient B7 Martin GarotLa Vitréenne7 Florian MartinLorient B7 Benjamin MorelCaen B7 Aurélien GazeauLe Poiré-sur-Vie7
References
External links CFA Official Page CFA Standings and Statistics