after a first round qualification in uefa cup over slovakian mfk ruzomberok (6–1; 0–1), they lost to leeds united 4-5 on aggregate despite having won the second leg 3–2, and failed to qualify to the third round. the following year, they beat spanish side villareal cf, drawing 0–0 in the first leg and winning the second leg 2–1. however, the result was voided as troyes fielded a disqualified player, david vairelles. uefa disqualified estac, and villareal took their place instead. the sacking of new manager jacky bonnevay and the nomination of faruk hadzibegic in january did not save troyes. they finished at the bottom of the ligue 1, and were relegated to ligue 2.