 During the 16th final of the French Cup, they eliminated Girondins de Bordeaux where Zinedine Zidane was playing (3–2 et) before being beaten on penalties by Montpellier HSC in the next round.Improvements lasted only two years and in 1998, Sporting Club Toulon were relegated back to the Championnat National due to poor results, then administratively in CFA2 (5th level) and finally did not finish the championship because of liquidation.After financial difficulties which led the club to be expelled from the Championship in the 1998–1999 season and to turn amateur, the club was reborn under the name "Sporting Toulon Var", gaining three promotions in four seasons to reach the third division.