Why the legendary French football club Saint-Étienne blames its losses on square goalposts
In short: Known as Les Verts, Saint-Étienne is a titan of French football with ten league titles. Yet, their most famous moment is a heartbreaking 1976 European Cup final loss. They blamed the square goalposts at Hampden Park for their defeat, a quirk of history that remains etched in the club's folklore.
Founded in 1919 by employees of the Groupe Casino grocery chain, the club originally adopted its signature green colors from the company's branding. After navigating early professionalization in 1933, the team rose to prominence during the 1960s and 1970s. Under managers like Jean Snella, Albert Batteux, and Robert Herbin, the club secured a dominant era, winning multiple league titles and Coupe de France trophies. This golden age culminated in the 1976 European Cup final, where they faced Bayern Munich. Despite creating numerous scoring opportunities, they lost 1–0, leading fans to famously nickname the stadium's square goalposts as les poteaux carrés.
The club's history is marked by extreme volatility. Following a financial scandal in 1982 that led to the imprisonment of long-time president Roger Rocher, the team suffered a period of decline, including multiple relegations. The club has faced various crises, from a 2001 passport forgery scandal involving Brazilian and Ukrainian players to severe crowd incidents in 2022 that resulted in stadium bans and point deductions. Despite these setbacks, the club has shown resilience, such as their 2013 Coupe de la Ligue victory—their first major domestic trophy in over three decades—and their ability to bounce back from the second division.
Today, Saint-Étienne remains a pillar of French football, competing at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. The club's identity is defined by its fierce rivalry with Olympique Lyonnais, known as the Derby rhônalpin. While the team has experienced significant fluctuations in performance, including a recent cycle of promotion and relegation, its legacy as a ten-time league champion ensures its place in the history of the sport. The club also expanded its reach in 2009 by establishing a female section, continuing its evolution beyond its origins as a company team.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: AS Saint-Étienne
- Also: Wikidata — AS Saint-Étienne · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — AS Saint-Étienne · CC0
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