Round table : « Neuchâtel Xamax au firmament : l'épopée européenne des années 1980 », Friday, October 26, 2012 at 18:30, Neuchâtel

Dear followers,

You are cordially invited to the round table entitled « Neuchâtel Xamax au firmament : l’épopée européenne des années 1980 », and which is part of the series of conferences (see attachment) dedicated to the centenary of the Neuchâtel Xamax Football club and co-organised by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), the University of Neuchâtel and the Museum of Art and History of the city of Neuchâtel :

Friday, October 26, 2012 at 18:30 (free entrance)

Museum of Art and History, 1st floor

Esplanade Leopold-Robert 1

2000 Neuchâtel

The illustrious history of the red and black club will be discussed by a wide range of personalities. Those who will be present include the former state councillor, Mr Pierre Dubois, the former historic president of Neuchâtel Xamax, Mr Gilbert Facchinetti, the former successful coach and TV consultant, Mr. Gress Gilbert, the former club player, Mr Robert Lei Ravello, as well as the Swiss footballer and former journalist at RTS, Mr Jean-Jacques Tillmann.

The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), is a scientific institution founded in 1995 as a partnership between the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the University of Neuchâtel, the City and the Canton of Neuchâtel which aims to develop a multidisciplinary approach to the study of legal, sociological, geographical, historical and managerial aspects of sport via research, training and consulting services to the sporting community. CIES aims to serve as a bridge between the worlds of research, education and sports institutions.

Brief bibliography of the participants:

• Pierre Dubois (former State Councillor)

Born in 1938, Pierre Dubois graduated in economics from the University of Neuchâtel. He has taught economics at the École Supérieure de Commerce in the city before joining the General Council of the City of Neuchâtel and the Grand Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel from 1973 to 1980. From 1980 to 1997 he served on the Council of State as Chief of the justice and economy departments. A football fan, he has been a supporter of Neuchâtel Xamax for many years.

• Mr. Gilbert Facchinetti (Central President of Neuchâtel Xamax 1912)

Born in 1936 in Lausanne, Gilbert Facchinetti first began an apprenticeship as a butcher before playing for Servette FC. In 1979, he took over the management of Neuchâtel Xamax FC, resulting from the merger between FC Cantonal Neuchâtel and FC Xamax. He left the executive management of the club in 2003 but remnained honorary president, which is a largely ceremonial title. Following the bankruptcy of the club in 2012, he took over the reins of Neuchâtel Xamax in the central position of President.

• Mr. Gilbert Gress (former coach of Neuchatel Xamax, TV consultant)

Born in 1941 in Strasbourg, Gilbert Gress was a football player between 1959 and 1977 in various clubs in France, such as RC Strasbourg and Olympique Marseille, before moving to the red and black colors of Neuchâtel in 1975. Since 1977, he devoted himself to a coaching career, which led him to collaborate with various clubs for over 30 years, including 12 years with Neuchâtel Xamax. He is currently a consultant for Swiss German television.

• Robert Lei Ravello (former player Neuchâtel Xamax, lawyer)

Born on 28 July 1960 in Lausanne, Robert Lei Ravello graduated in law from the University of Lausanne in 1983 before representing the colors of Xamax  as a striker between 1986 and 1989. Today a lawyer, he has also held the positions of Vice-President of the Qualification Commission of the Swiss Football League, as well as Deputy Judge of the Court of Sport at ASF. 

• Jean-Jacques Tillmann (former journalist RTS)

Born in 1935 in Geneva, Jean-Jacques Tillmann  is a graduate of classical studies. From 1963 he worked as a journalist at TSR before in 1970 specializing in football as a sports commentator. He retired in 2000.