Continuing with our survey sent to notable figures from Nice, including:
– Rudy Salles (UDF Deputy),
– Fabrice Mauro (President of Sian d’Aqui),
– Jean-Christophe Picard (PRG),
– Bruno Della Sudda (Alternatifs),
– Jean-Louis Vidal Revel (UDF)
who share their opinions on the summer topic concerning the city of Nice and the thousands of red and black supporters.
The editorial team of Nice Première assures the more skeptical that the order of the interventions was based on the order in which the responses were received.
Indeed, Nice Première operates with a principle of virtual interviews sent by email, which we receive in the same manner.
Nice Première: The administrative tribunal of Nice has suspended the execution of the contract passed by the city of Nice for the construction and operation of the large stadium. What do you think?
Rudy Salles: Like many people in Nice, especially the supporters, I am sad to see this situation. I think the fault lies with the Mayor of Nice who wanted this stadium to be completed before the municipal elections in order to include it in his record for purely electoral purposes. It would have been preferable not to rush and to deliver the stadium within a normal timeframe. Successfully completing such a project cannot be done in 15 months.
Fabrice Mauro: The prevailing feelings are sadness and dismay. With the few elements that emerge from this file, one can imagine that there is no major scandal, but simply administrative difficulties. We know the bureaucratic hurdles at this level in our country, and we can only once again witness and deplore it.
Jean-Christophe Picard: The reason for this suspension is that the concerned deliberation gave no details about the prices that will be practiced within the stadium…
The article L1411-2 of the General Code of Local Authorities is clear: “The [public service delegation] agreement stipulates the tariffs charged to users and specifies the impact on these tariffs of the parameters or indices that determine their evolution”! Therefore, it required particular incompetence not to respect this simple legal framework, intended to allow the delegating authority to maintain some control over the use of the granted equipment.
The Mayor of Nice demonstrates once again his inability to advance any project. Let us recall that this is already the second time he has tried to build a large stadium in Nice! Today, all the people of Nice are counting the days before the next municipal elections. In the meantime, with this umpteenth affair, the city has reached a “critical stage.”
Bruno Della Sudda: The decision of the administrative tribunal is both logical, salutary, and expected. It could not possibly surprise anyone with even a moderately serious knowledge of this file.
This file was undermined from the start by numerous anomalies, among which was the disclosure by the local press of the two concessionaires selected, the strange disappearance of Bouygues for not respecting the deadlines, the absence of pricing in the contract, strong suspicions of skewed competition… etc. These anomalies were explicitly mentioned in my intervention interrupted by the mayor at the city council on July 7th.
The crocodile tears of a few deputies or close associates of the mayor are pathetic and indecent. They would be laughable if it weren’t for a project ruinous for the taxpayers of our city.
Regarding Maurice Cohen, who has been known to be more inspired, he is mistaken in his target when he attacks the left: the left has nothing against OGC Nice, quite the contrary.
Jean-Louis Vidal Revel: Frankly, it is difficult to have an impartial opinion based on only the elements communicated in the local press. One thing is certain: once again, the people of Nice are being held hostage without being able to say or do anything, except that they can be sure of having to settle a huge bill in the end, whatever the outcome of the next recourse… I think that if the only reason for the suspension remains that the price of the seats has not been set for the coming years, it seems to me a very poor pretext…
I fully understand President Cohen’s reaction and can only offer him my full moral support. The rest, as always, escapes us.
The essential difference that exists between the UDF and the socialists of all kinds lies in that for us, the interest of the people of Nice comes before everything, before any sterile and paralyzing procedure, and it is not in the interest of the people of Nice to indefinitely suspend. We have expressed our opinion on several occasions, we are not satisfied with the majority of the points we raised, but there comes a time when exasperation mounts and at such times, one must have the lucidity to calm the game.
Nice Première: How do you imagine the follow-up to this file?
Rudy Salles: The city has decided to appeal before the Administrative Court of Appeal. We will see what the decision of the latter will be. In any case, the deadlines will not be met, and significant delays are already to be expected. It is therefore necessary to obtain from the football authorities that the homologation of the Ray be extended until the new stadium is finally delivered. For my part, I will fight alongside those who will have to defend this file so that OGC Nice does not suffer the consequences of this situation.
Fabrice Mauro: I cannot imagine for a single second that these setbacks could jeopardize the entirety of this project. I just hope that this “setback” will only delay the construction of our large stadium and especially that it will not have a direct or indirect impact on the sporting results of the team and on the determination of its management. Hands tied, we can only wait… Let’s wait.
Jean-Christophe Picard: All the light is far from being shed on this affair…
First, the administrative judge must still rule on the merits. He must thus examine all the – numerous – grievances raised.
Especially, it would be interesting if the criminal judge could look into the possible breach of equality between the candidates mentioned by the prefect in his referral… If this were proven, it would constitute a very serious offense punishable by article 432-14 of the Penal Code with two years of imprisonment and a 30,000 euros fine.
Bruno Della Sudda: We must now wait for the issue to be judged on the merits: the ball is in the court of justice.
Jean-Louis Vidal Revel: Let’s hope that on appeal, the decision will be different. If this were not the case, we hope that the Mayor of Nice will lead a genuine consultation where we could present our arguments without systematic denigration of our suggestions being opposed to us. Rudy Salles has ideas to advance, the people of Nice would gain a lot from having him listened to and heard. If that had been the case, we would not be here.
Nice Première: Do you think a return to a project on the Ray hill is conceivable?
Rudy Salles: No, I do not think a return to the Ray is possible. Apart from the problems of access and parking, let’s remember that during the construction, the Gym could not play in Nice. We know well that this situation would be unacceptable and fatal for the club. For what concerns me, I remind you that I was in favor of building the new stadium on the site of the Stade Charles Ehrmann, closer to the city and where part of the infrastructure (access, parking) already exists. Mr. Peyrat did not even deign to study it. I think we could have made a very beautiful stadium, less costly, and deliverable in much shorter timeframes. Finally, I have suggested that the new Nice football stadium bears the beautiful name of “Stade des Aiglons”. I would like, moreover, that the readers of Nice Première give me their opinion on this proposal.
Fabrice Mauro: At this stage, everything is conceivable but at what price and under what conditions? If we could return to more wisdom, it would be ideal. The debate on the location of the stadium (Ray or St Isidore) is over. Now, it’s about not taking too much delay and finally realizing this project. The works have started and are now stopped, I really hope they can resume as soon as possible. Eternally optimistic, I tell myself that when we sing Nissa La Bella in our magnificent new arena, all this will have been just a bad memory.
Jean-Christophe Picard: I think it is clear to everyone that no project is possible with the Peyrat team.
Bruno Della Sudda: As for a return to Ray as the project site for a large stadium, it is conceivable only following a broad debate. This debate must answer two distinct questions: is a large stadium necessary in Nice? Is the Ray site justified?
Yes, a large stadium is necessary in Nice, as is the case in all European cities of comparable demographic size, and it corresponds to the place of the club in the ranking and history of football in France.
As for the return to Ray, it could neither be decided hastily nor decided only by the city council. In reality, it is above all on this point that the debate must focus: a broad debate, involving the population as a whole, and the population interested in sports and football in particular – but not only that. An excellent opportunity to practice participatory democracy, integrating sports, environmental, social, financial parameters, but also the problems of transportation and security around the stadium.
Jean-Louis Vidal Revel: Everything is possible, provided that our claims are considerably revised downwards. Such a revised and corrected project should be submitted for the approval of multiple stakeholders… What appeals would therefore be filed by the socialist ‘General Councilors’ of Nice North? I’ll let you consider that; we’ll be back at it for ten years…
