2008–09 Championnat National

The 2008–09 Championnat National was the 16th edition of the 3rd division league. Play commenced on 1 August 2008 and ended on 29 May 2009. Vannes OC, Tours FC, and Nîmes Olympique were promoted to Ligue 2, replacing Chamois Niortais, FC Libourne-Saint-Seurin, and FC Gueugnon who were relegated from Ligue 2.

Villemomble Sports, Pau FC, FC Martigues and SO Romorantin were relegated to the CFA, and promoted from the CFA were Pacy Vallée-d'Eure from Group A, Croix de Savoie Gaillard from Group B, SO Cassis Carnoux from Group C, and Aviron Bayonnais FC from Group D.

Participating teams
As usual, there will be 20 teams competing in the Championnat National in the 2008–09 season.


 * AC Arles
 * Aviron Bayonnais FC
 * AS Beauvais Oise
 * AS Cannes
 * Calais RUFC
 * SO Cassis Carnoux
 * AS Cherbourg Football
 * US Créteil-Lusitanos
 * Croix de Savoie Gaillard
 * FC Gueugnon
 * FC Istres
 * Stade Lavallois
 * FC Libourne-Saint-Seurin
 * CS Louhans-Cuiseaux
 * Chamois Niortais
 * Pacy Vallée-d'Eure
 * Paris FC
 * Rodez AF
 * L'Entente SSG
 * FC Sète

DNCG Rulings
All clubs that secured Championnat National status for next season were subject to approval by the DNCG before becoming eligible to participate.

Following the DNCG's annual report on clubs, on 25 June, it was announced that six clubs had been relegated from the National to lower divisions. AS Beauvais, SO Cassis Carnoux, CS Louhans-Cuiseaux, and FC Libourne Saint-Seurin were relegated to the Championnat de France Amateurs. Besançon RC, US Luzenac, and FC Rouen, who were all recently promoted, were relegated to Championnat de France Amateurs 2, while FC Sète and Calais RUFC were relegated to the Division d'Honneur. All clubs relegated were allowed to appeal the decision.

Following an appeal from the aforementioned clubs, FC Rouen, AS Beauvais, and US Luzenac had their appeals overturned meaning they will remain in the Championnat National. Some clubs were, however, unsuccessful. FC Sète's appeal was upheld relegating them to the Division d'Honneur. Stade Plabennecois will replace them in the Championnat National. FC Libourne Saint-Seurin, Besançon RC, and Calais RUFC appeals were also rejected by the DNCG, however, all three clubs have decided to take their case to the CNOSF, the National Sporting Committee of France which governs sport in France. Both Calais and Besançon's rulings were determined on 23 July. The CNOSF determined that Besançon should be relegated to the CFA and not CFA 2, while Calais should respect and oblige the DNCG's ruling relegated them to CFA 2.

Libourne's ruling was determined on 27 July, when the CNOSF informed the club that they should honour the DNCG's ruling and suffer relegation to the CFA. Libourne's chairman Bernard Layda responded by announcing the club will file for bankruptcy, restructure the club, and oblige the ruling. Besançon and Libourne were replaced by ES Fréjus and AS Moulins.

Both CS Louhans-Cuiseaux and SO Cassis Carnoux had their appeals heard by the DNCG on 9 July. On 10 July, the DNGC ruled that both Louhans-Cuiseaux and Cassis-Carnoux rulings had been overturned meaning they will play in the Championnat National this season.

Top goalscorers
Last updated: 30 May 2009 Source: FootNational