What Happened To AC Ajaccio?

In French football, nowadays, it seems as if Paris Saint-Germain is the only competitive side in the nation. As a relatively new powerhouse, they win pretty much every league title with the odd exception. However, there is much more to French football than just PSG; of course, there are the common names of Marseille, Monaco and Lyon, for example. In recent times, though, a smaller French club has been hitting the headlines, but for all of the wrong reasons. This is the story of AC Ajaccio and their downfall.

AC Ajaccio, for many years, had been a staple in French football, finding themselves within the top two divisions for the majority of their lifespan. Today, though, the tale is very different. AC Ajaccio currently find themselves playing in the 7th tier of French football, but how did this happen?

The Issues Begin

Of course, a lot of this downfall is due to a poor financial situation, as is often the case in these kinds of scenarios. It was just in the 22/23 season that AC Ajaccio found themselves in the top division of France. Yes, they went straight back down that season, but that was in part due to poor on-field performances. The season after, they competed in the second division but were relegated again due to ongoing financial issues. The club appealed the decision and was granted its reinstatement to the second division. One season later, the club found itself in the same situation, a provisional relegation due to financial issues, this time not to be reinstated, though the club were in the third division on July 16th 2025. The finances did see an upturn in the immediate, and because of this, AC Ajaccio was excluded from any national-level competitions for that season. In September of 2025 AC Ajaccio were confirmed to be relegated to the seventh tier, the Régional 2 division based on the island of Corsica, where the club resides.

This is obviously devastating for the club, but not only that, the fans have been let down, and the staff have been removed from their positions. Approximately 180 jobs were lost, and the training centre, which was voted the best in Ligue 2 last spring, was subsequently closed down.  This becomes the club’s first time being non-professional after holding its pro status for 27 years.

A Flickering Of Hope?

Amidst all the negativity around the club’s downfall, some flickering lights can be found. A number of former players have returned to the club in an attempt to bring them back up through the French football league system. Yes, they are at the very start of that journey, but with, most notably, Andy Delort returning to the club, from Ligue 1 side Montpellier no less, the groundwork for a rise through the leagues is in place and will be looking positive for the fans who have stuck around.

This season, with the size of the club, the players and the general professionalism of the people still involved, it comes as no surprise that AC Ajaccio are running away with the seventh division and is on course for promotion. This may become a regular occurrence in the next few seasons. A reminder of when Rangers in Scotland were relegated to the fourth tier and worked their way back up in another rapid ascent.

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More Controversy

The football on the pitch is looking positive, but let’s not get carried away with what could be a rapid rise; there is still trouble off the pitch. It is being reported that two investigations are currently open and ongoing against the club for crimes relating to extortion, fraud, forgery and use of forged documents. Perhaps the club will come away from this with no charges, but with the current trend, it is likely that they will face some more repercussions. So, when they do win promotion, they may not go anywhere; they may even be punished further, but we do not know that as of yet. 

Can this situation get any worse for the club? Surely that’s the worst of it. Unfortunately not. Earlier this year, the former president of AC Ajaccio was assassinated at his own mother’s funeral. Alain Orsoni, a former Corsican nationalist leader, was shot from a long range. It is believed that the suspects were part of an organised crime unit that had planned the assassination. Not much, if anything, is known of the hit, but it just adds to the despairing situation that is AC Ajaccio.

Corsican Clubs

AC Ajaccio were long the crem-de-la-crème for Corsican clubs, often being the highest-ranked club from the island. That title now belongs to SC Bastia. A smaller club than AC Ajaccio, but one that currently find themselves in the second division. For how long? We don’t know, SC Bastia are in a relegation fight this season, and it is looking more and more likely that they will be relegated to the third division, leaving the top two levels of French football without Corsican representation. Which would be the first time in more than 60 years.

Players from the island of Corsica often go on to represent France at the international level, but the island itself does have a non-FIFA recognised national team. They last played in 2024 at the Corsica Cup, where they faced up against Sardinia, Sicily and Saint Martin. It might be unlikely that they will ever be granted FIFA affiliation, but stranger things have happened.

That’s the current situation that AC Ajaccio and Corsica find themselves in. Will the club rise through the divisions and reclaim its rightful place in the top two leagues of France? Hopefully. The club have long been a stalwart in French football, and it would be a further shame to see them punished further.

Researched and Written by BSc Cavan Campbell

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