The statements by the Deputy for Sports of the City of Nice (exclusive interview with Nice-Matin on March 17) in response to those made by Patrick Allemand during a press briefing two days earlier, did not go unanswered. The socialist elected official responds by quoting statements that the same newspaper had published on two different occasions.
On our side, after denouncing as early as September 19 what unfortunately turned out to be a “hoax” (the Deffins-Tordo plan), we can only note the result to date: Sporting relegation to Federal 3 for financial reasons and a one-month suspended decision by the Court regarding the club’s bankruptcy.
In this parody worthy of “Commedia dell’Arte” where Harlequins and Punchinellos are surely not missing and where all the actors are mainly engaged in hiding their responsibilities rather than providing possible solutions, it is certainly not Nice rugby that has anything to gain.
A complete re-foundation is essential, and fortunately, some well-meaning individuals are already working on it (see box).
It is truly time to look straight ahead!
Statement from Patrick Allemand
“I am not a liar!”
Returning from a mission abroad, as part of my delegations to the Regional Council, I was stunned to read the interview with Gilles Veissière in Nice-Matin about Nice rugby, as well as the statements by Pascal Coste who conveniently denies ever being interested in Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur.
All of this is very surprising.
In the interview given by Gilles Veissière to Nice-Matin on March 17, he calls me a liar, talks about professional ethics, fairness, ethics, while evading his own responsibilities regarding the Town Hall’s role in the takeover of the club by the Deffins-Tordo duo, and claiming that the rugby club takeover did not concern the Town Hall (“How could the mayor interfere?”).
This is not a statement against another statement here. In this matter, there is more than my word. There are the irrefutable statements of one and another.
Contrary to his statements, Gilles Veissière did intervene. I provide the proof! It is the statement from players Jérémy Benstaali, Bastien Sainte-Croix, and Josselin Lapierre who spoke on behalf of the team. Nice-Matin of March 2, 2012, reports their words: “In September, we were received at the Town Hall by Mr. Veissière who told us about Mr. Deffins’ project, which had the Town Hall’s approval. It was on the condition that the current team leaves. We informed the players.”
Regarding Pascal Coste, I had several phone conversations and a meeting with him in the days preceding Gilles Veissière’s statements. He states “having been contacted, but that RNCA does not interest him,” thus casting doubt on the honesty of my statements. He indeed made an offer. Again, there is more than my word in this matter. There are Pascal Coste’s own irrefutable statements. In Nice-Matin on September 19, 2011, during an article on his success as an entrepreneur, he told Sylvie Beal, author of the article: “I was at the head of a team in Tarn and Garonne. And I don’t hide it, I almost bought the Nice club. It was close, it tickled me…”
Both were caught “red-handed.” It is pathetic and contemptible.
I don’t know the causes of such a turnaround. Perhaps discussions with the Town Hall about the world jet-ski championship round that Mr. Coste would like to organize in Nice, and for which the entrepreneur has been waiting for a response since April 8, 2011, have suddenly progressed positively.
Regardless, I will not let myself be called a liar by two people for whom I provide irrefutable evidence that they made contradictory statements to three different journalists from the same regional daily.
When betting on people’s amnesia, it is best to avoid facing someone who is organized!
Patrick ALLEMAND, Municipal Councilor, President of the Change Era Group
° It would be desirable that, when holding a public office, the principle that information, to meet morality and transparency criteria, must be pluralistic be retained.
Moreover, a press briefing or a statement addressed to everyone does not prevent reserving one’s thoughts for a privileged few!
In this sense, Mr. Veissière could take a cue from the Mayor, whose method is impeccable.
If aircraft carriers play the trombone, the “pedalos” can have a voice. All equal, maybe not, but a minimum of respect for all, that goes without saying!
