1st June 2001
Libbra side relegated to Division 3 
Financial irregularities see Toulouse drop two divisions
(Stuart Crowther)

WHILE HIBS CONTINUE TO FIGHT Celtic for the signature of Marc Libbra, it has been revealed this morning that Libbra's club, Toulouse, have been relegated to the French Third Division because of 'financial irregularities'.

Toulouse had already been relegated after finishing 3rd bottom in the French first division, have now been told by the French Football Association that they will be relegated to Division 3 because of high debts incurred by the club, with giants Marseille also falling foul of the same ruling, finding themselves relegated to division two of the French league.  And the punishment of both clubs could yet be even worse, with the FFF President Claude Simonet announcing this morning that both clubs must submit financial restructuring plans within the next 15 days as part of any appeal against the decision.

Libbra - club punished for financial irregularities (sns)

Simonet said: "``I hope that both presidents will be able to provide the necessary guarantees.''  The decision by the French authorities provide new hope to Strasbourg and St Etienne, the other clubs relegated from the first division, to reclaim their top-flight status.

Toulouse look certain to lodge an appeal, and will hope that cash generated from the sale of such as Libbra will place them in a position to have the decision reversed.  Hibs meanwhile have not yet given up hope of signing Libbra, the Easter Road club continuing to pursue the player in spite of the £1m bid already launched by Celtic yesterday afternoon.  The Easter Road club will be hanging much on the fact that Libbra has himself shown a preferred option of returning to Easter Road rather than run the risk of playing in Celtic's reserve side.

Hibs are expected to announce plans to play in a pre-season tournament in France, with Marseille one of the possible opponents.  It is not yet known if these plans will be effected.