The “Parc des Princes” is one of the most famous stadiums in France – and home to the star ensemble from Paris St. Germain. But that is apparently about to change soon. The club boss complains that the administration wants to force the club out of the stadium. An offer from the Qatari was rejected.
French giants Paris Saint-Germain may have to look for a new football stadium for their home games. “We are no longer welcome in the Parc des Princes,” Qatari PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi told the Spanish newspaper “Marca”. The club is under pressure from the Paris city administration to leave the stadium. A point in time is not mentioned. Nothing is known about the reasons either. The media speculate that there is a connection with the failed stadium purchase.
“I love the Parc des Princes, it’s part of our history. We’ve always preferred to stay here, but I don’t think they want us,” Al-Khelaifi said. Paris St. Germain had previously tried to persuade the city to sell the stadium to the club’s owner, but the city has so far refused. “It’s not our first choice to sell them the Parc des Princes. It’s the heritage of the city and of Parisians,” said Emmanuel Gregoire, head of the city’s urban development department.
The French champions have played their home games since 1974 in the “Prince’s Park”, which was opened in 1897 as the “First Parc” and after numerous conversion and renovation works can accommodate 49,000 spectators. Since the opening of the much larger Stade de France with a capacity of 81,338 visitors in 1998, the Prinzenpark has lost its status as a national stadium.
Since the purchase of PSG by the Qatari investment fund QSI in 2011, the club has celebrated eight championships and won the national cup six times, but despite the most lavish star signings – Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé or Sergio Ramos – they are still eagerly awaiting victory in the Champions League . There it will be a giant duel with FC Bayern in the round of 16, the Parisians will only play the home game on February 14th. The reunion in Munich is three weeks later.
