Roland Ries, Mayor of Strasbourg and Jacques Bigot, president of the Urban Community Strasbourg, are part of the withdrawal of the candidature of Strasbourg at Euro 2016 in a letter to the President of the French Football Federation, Fernand Duchaussoy.
Strasbourg finally renounced his candidacy for the Euro 2016 (Photo DNA)
"No action was taken by the President of the Republic, the Government and the French Football Federation to the particular situation of Strasbourg. Indeed, the conditions of the application thereof to Euro 2016 were very substantially revised between June 2009 and June 2010, due to the descent of the Racing Club de Strasbourg in National. The latter, unlike the clubs in the other candidate cities, is now totally unable to participate in the financing of the reconstruction operation of Meinau stadium. However, this arrangement to remain in the timing of UEFA, should be completed no later than the end of this year, "complained the two elected in a statement released this morning.
To address this difficult situation, Roland Ries and Jacques Bigot had made, beginning June 1 in a letter the President of the Republic, specific proposals, the statement said that details:
• State participation increased from 10% to 35% of project cost as was charged in 1998 for the World Cup Football France;
• Payouts for host cities to some of the financial surpluses related to the organization of Euro 2016, also identical to what was done in 1998;
• Creating a fund Aid to investment in stages by part of television rights and by a levy on paris online, corresponding to a fair share of professional football, the main beneficiary of the stadium renovation.
"No answer was given to these proposals," and regret Roland Ries Jacques Bigot, who continued: "In these circumstances, a $ 160 million investment, 130 million are now the responsibility of the Urban Community of Strasbourg. The risk can not be taken to have ultimately apply to taxpayers of Strasbourg and its suburbs to bear the burden of 130 million euros. "
last sentence of the statement: "Therefore, with regret but with responsibility, Roland Ries and Jacques Bigot withdraw the candidature of Strasbourg for Euro 2016."
After the withdrawal there remains 11 candidate cities to host matches in the European Championship 2016: Stade de France (St. Denis), Parc des Princes (Paris), Lens, Lille, Bordeaux, Nice, Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon, St Etienne, Nancy. Nine will be chosen by 28 May 2011, two other stages will be designated reserve.
Jean-Philippe Maurer, UMP, does not
Jean-Philippe Maurer, UMP Strasbourg said in a statement that it "does not understand how this property has just done." "This project, led by many of Strasbourg and Alsatian football lovers deserved open and public discussion. It seems to me that the emergency declaration was not a brutal end of July provided that neither the council nor the community council have been meeting to discuss it. "
The reasons for abandonment
The financial crisis has gone through there and the disappointments of the resident club, Racing Club Strasbourg, have made things worse. The decision to withdraw the nomination of the Alsatian capital to host matches for Euro 2016 and then renovate the aging stadium Meinau, seemed increasingly likely. It was formalized yesterday.
-portaient-l-echarpe-verte-et-tapaient-symboliquement-dans-le-ballon_-(Photo-archives-DNA).jpg)
A European Fair of Strasbourg in September 2009, the day was the enthusiasm for the candidacy for the Euro 2016. The "ambassadors" and partner (here, Roland Ries) wore the green sash and symbolically slapped the ball. (Photo archive DNA)
Nancy may be the only city in the Big East to host matches for Euro 2016. After the withdrawal of nominations Metz and Strasbourg yesterday, the capital of Meurthe-et-Moselle still competing among 11 cities in France - 9 of them will be selected before May 28, 2011, the other two are designated "stages Reserve.
Mayor Roland Ries and the president of the Metropolitan Jacques Bigot (both PS) reported yesterday morning as a modest press release, that Strasbourg had thrown in the towel.
exaggerated euphoria of 2009
The Alsatian capital argues first of the "context of sport" which has adversely changed in a few weeks. If Nancy can boast of having a team in Ligue 1, Strasbourg is relegated to National. "The recent lowering of the Racing Club substantially changed the economic model which was built on the reconstruction project Meinau stadium, state and MM. Ries and Bigot. The SCR can not be a funding partner in this project, nor participate by paying a high rent, at least in the short term. "
enthusiasm that accompanied the orbiting Bid Strasbourg waned over the financial crisis and setbacks of sports Racing. First worn by the former club president Philippe Ginestet, draft a "Eurostadium" funded by the giant Anglo-Saxon and Hammerson associated with Euro 2016 was abandoned at the edge of summer 2009. The city of Strasbourg then takes over with an enthusiasm that can be judged in retrospect surprising: 2000 people gathered at the Rhine pose for an aerial photo in August 2009, the European Fair is in September, the opportunity to reiterate the attachment of Strasbourg to the nomination.
recall that at the time, the Racing League is 2 and it is still reasonable to expect a rise in Ligue 1. Municipality PS also intends to wash the failed 1998: Strasbourg had allowed no match of the World Cup French ...
The fall of the changes the Racing
In the summer of 2010, nothing has gone wrong. Racing is bloodless. The urban community of Strasbourg as the importance of financial sacrifice to make - an estimated $ 160 million - to renovate a stadium in the Meinau whose club is no longer resident in the top flight but it would raise the Euro standards for only a few matches.
The councilors are calling for a "financial support" to the State and UEFA. Within the municipality of fuse left denunciations the "football business". The state must raise its stake from 10% to 35% of the project insist Roland Ries and Jacques Bigot from the end of May.
At the same time, the "financial surpluses related to the organization of the Euro" and the TV rights earned by professional football authorities are called upon. The declaration, together with letters sent to the competent authorities, looks like an ultimatum.
Political considerations
In late June, the withdrawal of the bid is almost act: it is enough that neither the state nor the FFF can answer for that Strasburg throws in the towel.
cohesion within the city of Strasbourg was also likely at this price. There were only more recently assistant Roland Ries openly expressing their disagreement with such an investment. The Greens are allies on the frontlines ... The current mayor of Strasbourg, elected in 2008 under the dual promise of fiscal restraint and investment "human scale" in the service of people, would not retract.
is brave, but is it really popular?
Denis Tricard
Duchaussoy (FFF) "disappointed"
Acting President French Football Federation (FFF), Fernand Duchaussoy said he was "disappointed" to withdraw the candidature of the city of Strasbourg to host matches of Euro 2016 football. "It's a disappointment because Strasbourg city of international renown, had its natural place in the eleven sites selected for the competition," said the president. For his part, Jean-Claude Plessis, President of Racing said: "This is a politically and financially. I respect the decision of the mayor and city council. It's a shame but we can also think it was a heavy investment without certainty in terms of impact. I note especially that the mayor has approached the club recently. We work together to make and I will not criticize their decision. My comment is more short term, the Euro 2016 is so far away. My ultimate concern is the championship 2010-2011, which haunts me is the rise of the Racing League 2 next season. We work to bring the club in Ligue 1 as soon as possible. The issue of modernization of the stadium will arise, we will do with what you will. "
Investing thirty million euros at the Meinau is likely '
Strasbourg has no stadium for Euro 2016, but it does Meinau not mean that can not be restored.
Only in 2011 the French Football Federation (FFF) will tell what stage the matches of Euro 2016 and what will be two stages of "reserve". It's remote, 2011, insists Jacques Bigot, President (PS) of the urban community of Strasbourg, which needed shorter. Because at the beginning of September, the services of the urban community may have to prepare a resolution, subject to the elect, for the renovation of the stadium Meinau.
A renovation to the standards of Ligue 1, Strasbourg, where hopes come back. That makes a big difference financially means, with the standards of the European Championship of Nations: "To stage the Meinau standards League 1 should invest thirty million euros. It is conceivable, supported Mr. Bigot.
"package before the competition"
We are far from 160 million euros - at the very least - the configuration Euro 2016.
The expense has raised eyebrows even among the ranks of the opposition. The deputy mayor (UMP) Lingolsheim, Yves Bur, has not hesitated to express disagreement with others. So much so that the councilman (UMP) castigates Robert Grossmann the more so, "without any consultation," the bottom of the waiver itself. He is joined by the MP (UMP) Jean-Philippe Maurer, who called for "an open and public discussion." Harder, relatives of Senator Fabienne Keller accusing Mr. Ries and Bigot had "forfeited before the start of the competition."
The full gap between the enthusiasm of 2009 and yesterday's decision, along with intermediate delays, which is probably score the most adversely minds. That is what has escaped Jean-Marc Ayrault, Mayor (PS) of Nantes, by withdrawing the candidacy of his city early enough.
The regrets will be more alive in many of Strasbourg: the great festival of European football will not take place in the European capital, close to Germany, a semifinalist in the recent World Cup.
Only in 2011 the French Football Federation (FFF) will tell what stage the matches of Euro 2016 and what will be two stages of "reserve". It's remote, 2011, insists Jacques Bigot, President (PS) of the urban community of Strasbourg, which needed shorter. Because at the beginning of September, the services of the urban community may have to prepare a resolution, subject to the elect, for the renovation of the stadium Meinau.
A renovation to the standards of Ligue 1, Strasbourg, where hopes come back. That makes a big difference financially means, with the standards of the European Championship of Nations: "To stage the Meinau standards League 1 should invest thirty million euros. It is conceivable, supported Mr. Bigot.
"package before the competition"
We are far from 160 million euros - at the very least - the configuration Euro 2016.
The expense has raised eyebrows even among the ranks of the opposition. The deputy mayor (UMP) Lingolsheim, Yves Bur, has not hesitated to express disagreement with others. So much so that the councilman (UMP) castigates Robert Grossmann the more so, "without any consultation," the bottom of the waiver itself. He is joined by the MP (UMP) Jean-Philippe Maurer, who called for "an open and public discussion." Harder, relatives of Senator Fabienne Keller accusing Mr. Ries and Bigot had "forfeited before the start of the competition."
The full gap between the enthusiasm of 2009 and yesterday's decision, along with intermediate delays, which is probably score the most adversely minds. That is what has escaped Jean-Marc Ayrault, Mayor (PS) of Nantes, by withdrawing the candidacy of his city early enough.
The regrets will be more alive in many of Strasbourg: the great festival of European football will not take place in the European capital, close to Germany, a semifinalist in the recent World Cup.
(C) DNA - July 2010
