Swiss Football’s Ultimate Showman: Who Owns Sion, Noah’s Opponent?

Armenian club Noah are set to face Switzerland’s Sion in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. One of the club’s central figures is its owner and president, Christian Constantin—an architect, former goalkeeper and one of the most eccentric executives in European football.

The first leg will take place in Abovyan on August 6.

Saving Sion from Bankruptcy

Christian Constantin was born in Switzerland on January 7, 1957. Before beginning his career in football management, he worked as an architect and also played as a goalkeeper.

Constantin represented Xamax, Lugano, Monthey and Martigny-Sports, but he became widely known only after ending his playing career.

In 2003, he acquired Sion, which was experiencing severe financial difficulties at the time. The club was close to bankruptcy and had been relegated from the top division of Swiss football.

Under Constantin, Sion managed to return to a high level and achieve notable success. The team won the Swiss Cup four times, in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015.

However, the club president became famous for far more than trophies.

More Than 50 Coaching Changes

During Constantin’s time in charge of Sion, the club has made more than 50 managerial appointments and dismissals. Some coaches returned to the club several times, while the president himself took charge as head coach on two occasions—in 2008 and 2021.

Constantin has even made major decisions during matches. In 2023, he dismissed head coach David Bettoni at half-time of a game against Servette. Despite being fired, the coach had to spend the second half beside the pitch.

It was also reported that the Sion owner once parted ways with a coach because of the way he smelled.

This management style has made the Swiss club one of the most unpredictable teams in European football.

Conflicts and Suspensions

Constantin has repeatedly found himself at the centre of high-profile scandals.

In 2004, he was accused of attacking Swiss league referee Markus von Känel during a match that was being broadcast live.

An even more controversial incident occurred in 2017. During a Swiss league match, Constantin became involved in a confrontation with former coach and television pundit Rolf Fringer. The Sion president knocked him to the ground and struck him. Constantin received a 14-month suspension for the incident.

He has also had conflicts with players. In particular, Constantin publicly argued with Mario Balotelli, whom he had personally brought to Sion.

Transfer Ban and the Dismissal of Nine Players

In 2011, Sion signed six players despite being subject to a transfer ban. The restrictions were connected to the circumstances surrounding the signing of Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary.

The episode led to lengthy disputes with football’s governing bodies and became another controversial chapter in Constantin’s presidency.

In March 2020, after the Swiss league was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, the club owner dismissed nine first-team players. The reason was their refusal to accept salary reductions.

Constantin, however, is capable of attracting attention through more than just tough decisions. He once appeared on television on horseback, further cementing his reputation as one of the most unusual football executives in Europe.

The Club as a Family Business

Since 2014, the position of Sion’s sporting director has been held by the president’s son, Barthélémy Constantin. As a result, the owner’s family has been responsible for the club’s key decisions for many years.

Christian Constantin remains the central figure at Sion. During his presidency, the club has won trophies and experienced numerous coaching changes, conflicts, suspensions and legal disputes.

The upcoming tie between Noah and Sion is therefore interesting for more than purely footballing reasons. The Armenian club will face a team backed by one of the most influential, controversial and unpredictable owners in European football.

Noah and Sion also have connections of their own. Last season, the Armenian club signed goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu on loan from Sion, while defender Nathanaël Saintini joined Noah on a permanent transfer.