Courbis cleared for Ajaccio return

AC Ajaccio coach Rolland Courbis has been given permission to resume his coaching duties by a French court.

Transfer irregularities
Courbis had been forbidden from coaching since 3 July while investigations took place into allegations of transfer irregularities between 1997 and 1999, while he was coach of Olympique de Marseille. Courbis was charged with fraud arising from the transfers of three players - Ghana's Arthur Moses, Ibrahima Bakayoko of the Ivory Coast and Paraguayan Ricardo Rojas. 

Saturday return
Although Courbis still stands accused of the charges, he has been allowed to return to Ajaccio after paying half of his bail, which was set at €770,000, and is likely to be on the bench for Saturday’s visit of Paris Saint-Germain FC.

'Marseille affair'
However, Ajaccio chairman Michel Moretti refused to be overjoyed at his coach’s return, complaining that Ajaccio had been unfairly punished. He said: "Why should I be happy? We were hostages and we have been freed. This affair concerns Marseille."

Relegation struggle
Ajaccio currently lie in 18th place in the Ligue 1 table, and will need the inspirational Courbis to repeat the feat of last season, when he guided the Corsican club to runners-up spot in the second division, which ensured their promotion to the top flight.