| Joël Lopez | |
| Fullname: | Joël Lopez |
| Birth Date: | 30 October 1960 |
| Birth Place: | Aressy, France |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Youthclubs1: | Jeanne d'Arc |
| Years1: | 1979–1982 |
| Clubs1: | Pau |
| Years2: | 1982–1983 |
| Years3: | 1983–1984 |
| Clubs3: | Pau |
| Years4: | 1984–1985 |
| Years5: | 1985–1986 |
| Clubs5: | Mulhouse |
| Years6: | 1986–1987 |
| Years7: | 1987–1992 |
| Clubs7: | Pau |
| Manageryears1: | 1999–2002 |
| Managerclubs1: | Pau |
Joël Lopez (born 30 October 1960) is a French former footballer who played as a midfielder.
Lopez, who played for Jeanne d'Arc at youth level, started his senior career with Pau in 1979, remaining until 1982 when he agreed to join Division 2 outfit Châteauroux.[1] [2] Lopez completed a return to Pau a year later, prior to signing for Division 1 side Bordeaux.[3] [2] The club won the title in his sole season there, qualifying for the 1985–86 European Cup.[2] However, Lopez departed Bordeaux at the beginning of 1985–86 to play in Division 2 for Mulhouse.[3] His stay lasted twelve months, preceding a period with Thonon between 1986 and 1987.[2] In the latter year, Lopez rejoined former team Pau for a third time.[3] [2] Five years later, he retired from football.[3] [2]
In 2005, Lopez became president of Pau; having previously been a coach and the team's manager between 1999 and 2002.[2] [4] He served for five years, before deciding not to continue his mandate.[4] December 2013 saw Lopez become acting president of Évian Thonon Gaillard; he was previously Évian's sporting director which followed a period working in recruitment.[3] [5] Lopez, along with Julian and Pascal Dupraz, were summoned to court following allegations of fraud and forgery in 2015, when Lopez was dismissed by the club.[6] [7] In 2017, Lopez and Pascal Dupraz were charged and fined €10,000; with Julian Dupraz being cleared.[8] Lopez later returned to Pau as vice-president.[9]