Stephen Verven, 27, has previously slept in airports while traveling to support Real Madrid. On January 29, for the Brest – Real Madrid match, in Guingamp (22), he will just make a return trip and sleep at his home in Brest. This is far from being the case for its supporters group, the Peña Madridista (official group affiliated with the Spanish club). There will be around thirty, mainly from Île-de-France, to attend this meeting. With “an overpriced bus”, a “carpooling system” should be put in place to ensure travel. “Some will also come on their own,” adds Stephen.
And after the match, where will the Peña Madridista supporters sleep? “My Parisian colleagues are very annoyed. There is nothing in the area or at exorbitant prices. Furnished rental companies also take advantage of this match to raise prices,” summarizes the Brestois, who has supported Real Madrid for fifteen years. Rental prices would be multiplied by three. “Afterwards, it’s the game. We know that’s how it happens when we travel for a match with Real Madrid.”
I have slept in every Spanish airport there is after the matches. I slept on the floor, rough, or on benches. When we were at Seville airport, we didn't know that it closed at night. We slept in the bus shelter opposite
“They may have to go back after the match”
To bounce back from this situation, supporters must broaden their searches: “Some even looked as far as Carhaix. This shows how stuck we are. We are exploring all the possibilities of what is connected with the station.” This is how Île-de-France supporters are looking towards Lannion (22), Morlaix (29)… “These are potential avenues for accommodation. Some found in these localities. Guingamp and Saint-Brieuc, it's absolutely impossible. All hotels are full. Otherwise, there are still things at absolutely staggering prices.”
Faced with this surge in rental prices, some have decided to drive at night to return home. “There are always people who have their place for the match but who don’t know where they are going to stay. They are waiting. They may have to go back after the match.”
-Stephen isn't really surprised by this scenario. “It's always complicated to find where to stay when Real Madrid comes to play in France. This is an event for the department. There are also a lot of curious people who will come in the hope of seeing the players outside the match. They will therefore monopolize housing. That’s why we find ourselves in trouble.”
“I slept on the floor”
When he travels to France to attend a match of his team, Stephen no longer stays there: “I opted for the solution of going back and forth after the match. I sleep in my car, on a highway rest area, if necessary.” A supporter of Real Madrid for fifteen years, he traveled across Europe. “I have slept in every Spanish airport there is after the matches. I slept on the floor, rough, or on benches. When we were at Seville airport, we didn't know that it closed at night. We slept in the bus shelter opposite,” Stephen recalls.
Why is he a fan of Real Madrid? “The first match I saw on TV was Real Madrid. I said to myself: what is this crazy team, with all these stars? », testifies Stephen, who was 12 years old at the time. Since then, he has not changed teams. “I’m not a team supporter. I am a supporter of a club. It includes basketball, women’s, youth…” concludes Stephen.
France
