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 64)
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

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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

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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

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  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.
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