the Blues ready to move away from the Stade de France without “serious proposal” from the buyers, announces the president of the FFR

The president of the French Rugby Federation, Florian Grill, raised the possibility of leaving Saint-Denis if certain conditions were not met, while the new Stade de France concession is under negotiation.

The lying poker game around the Stade de France concession continues. One year after the launch of the renewal procedure, two candidates are in the race: the Vinci/Bouygues consortium, holder of the concession since 1995, and the GL Events group associated with Paris Entertainment Company. Mbut none of them currently gives satisfaction to Florian Grill. The president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) spoke to AFP on Tuesday February 27 and did not hesitate to reiterate his desire to continue playing elsewhere if certain conditions were not met.

“I have set three rules for candidates for takeover: the rent must not increase, and even income must increase, we must be compensated during the work if there is any and we must be able to leave. taking up the subject and going around the table“, developed Florian Grill. Conditions due to the operating deficit of the FFR, to the tune of 40 million euros over two years, and which pushes the federation to make “10 million euros in savings [sur l’année 2024] and to obtain an additional 5 million euros in net income“, according to the president of the FFR.

Towards a relocation… abroad?

If the proposed conditions do not satisfy the federation, the president of the FFR is not afraid to move the French XV away from the capital, or even to leave French territory. “The National Rugby League relocated to Spain, which was a huge success [les demi-finales du Top 14 à Saint-Sébastien en 2023]. If the Stade de France does not provide satisfactory solutions for the French Rugby Federation, we will be able to find alternative solutions“, explained Grill again. The Blues are already playing their home matches for the 2024 Tournament in Marseille, Lille and Lyon due to the work on the Stade de France in preparation for the Olympic Games.

Offensive, Florian Grill expects more from the two candidates for the takeover: “We are going to discuss, the negotiation is open. Now, one of the two actors must understand that, if they want to have the French Rugby Federation, they must do much more. Otherwise, they will manage to be profitable with other activities.”