The Mayor of Nice, Jacques Peyrat, announced on Thursday, July 13, the suspension of the construction of the new stadium. This decision follows an appeal by the Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture. A suspension order was requested by the judge of the Administrative Tribunal on the eve of the judicial holidays.
New wave in court. New shakeup for the Nice City Hall. New despair for the Aiglons’ supporters. What are the reasons for this appeal? It’s a mystery. Senator Mayor remained silent on this issue. His deputy suggested two explanations: the perimeter of the new stadium is not exactly in accordance with the original project, and the ticket prices were never specified by the concessionaire in the contract, despite the legal obligation to stipulate them. Behind the scenes, it is rumored that the market was rigged, the location is bad, and the cost of construction too excessive for a city like Nice.
Therefore, the construction of the new stadium is postponed indefinitely. And the people of Nice will have to suffer the full consequences.
Indeed, the consequences of this postponement are numerous and serious for the development of the club. “It’s a nasty blow for the city and for the sportspeople of Nice,” noted Jean-Claude Mari, the deputy mayor. The Ray Stadium, a place of memory and glory, no longer meets the standards. For 12 years, the French Football Federation has granted it exemptions. But for how long? Not only do the Aiglons risk playing in another city, Cannes or Monaco, to the great despair of the fans, but they are also threatened with relegation to League 2. Unacceptable.
Apart from the financial loss this represents, it’s the morale of the entire club that would suffer. “After all we’ve invested to get to League 1, to reach the 8th place, it’s discouraging,” Jacques Peyrat laments. The club risks recruiting less performing players. Some supporters fear players like Balmont, Bellion, or Koné might not be very keen to stay under these conditions. “A stark job loss that risks seeing the Aiglons plucked before they’ve completed their flight,” predicts the Mayor.
Another consequence, the financial losses expected for Cari-Spada, the company that won the contract. “This is a huge project that involves hiring personnel, renting equipment, establishing profitability rates. A contract for 28 years of operation is suddenly threatened,” emphasized the Senator Mayor. Thus, if the construction does not begin, as planned, in August, the company is already anticipating a loss of 16 million euros. Inevitably reimbursed… by the city.
With its 32,000 seats, a setup befitting the fifth largest city in France, the stadium was supposed to be delivered by the end of 2007. This hope has now collapsed like a house of cards.
Whatever the judge’s decision, the City of Nice plans to appeal the injunction. In any case, the case is blocked for a long time. The judge will be called to pronouncement in the coming three weeks. The procedure, brought before the Council of State, could drag on indefinitely. To the great dismay of OGC Nice who may not see its Aiglons reach the heights befitting the fifth city in France.
Despite all, the Senator Mayor of Nice remains optimistic: “Tomorrow will be another day.”
