Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been criticized by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, for submitting a “ridiculous” offer to purchase the Parc des Princes stadium, which is owned by the city.
PSG, who have a 30-year tenancy agreement with the stadium, are seeking to acquire the site before expanding their operations.
The club has proposed to pay €38 million to buy the stadium, but the mayor has dismissed the offer as insufficient. PSG has also shown interest in buying the Stade de France, as they are in search of a larger home to match their ambitions.
L’Equipe has reported that the club will formally express their interest in buying the stadium. Currently, Parc des Princes, which can seat nearly 48,000 spectators, does not meet the club’s requirements for expansion.
Speaking to French broadcaster RFI, Hidalgo said: “We had opened the door to the possibility of selling the stadium to our club.
“It is true that in the economic model of the big clubs, they are almost all owners and of course we have look at this argument.
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“To sell, you had to respect the rules, because the stadium belongs to the Parisians, it does not belong to me.
“We are in a state of law, so there are procedures and we have to set prices that must correspond to the good. The club offered €38million. I think ridiculous is the right word. There is no longer any possible path.
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According to reports, French President Emmanuel Macron has discussed the possibility of FIFA buying the Stade de France, a move that would be surprising but still possible.
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, does not expect PSG to leave the Parc des Princes and move to the Stade de France, despite the club’s interest in acquiring it.
PSG’s Qatari owners have invested heavily in the team, turning them into France’s top team with big-name players like Neymar, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Sergio Ramos. However, navigating local regulations may prove challenging for the owners, who built spectacular stadiums for last year’s World Cup.
Hidalgo said there was “maybe a bit of bluffing or maybe misunderstanding what our democratic rules are” when it comes to PSG eyeing up the Stade de France.
She added: “Yes, it’s true that with us, stadiums don’t spring up like mushrooms, it’s true that you don’t arrive with a bundle of millions and become the buyer of any property for any conditions.“