“A question of life or death” at PSG, Al-Khelaïfi announces a resounding departure

Thursday 21st November 2024 03:25 PM

Thibault Morlain
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Journalist

After trying different sports, Thibault turned to a career as an amateur footballer. When making a choice between becoming a professional footballer and a journalist, the qualities tipped the scales to one side. Here he is now in the editorial staff of 10 Sport, after a diploma obtained at the International Institute of Communication in Paris.

It has now been many months since PSG has been engaged in a conflict with Paris City Hall and Anne Hidalgo regarding the Parc des Princes. While the capital club wishes to buy the enclosure to expand it, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has so far hit a wall. A situation which clearly leaves PSG no other choice than to leave the Parc des Princes.

Historically, PSG plays at the Parc des Princes. But now the capital club now feels a little cramped in its stadium with a capacity of around 48,000 seats. But to carry out work and increase this capacity, the Qataris first want to buy the Parc des Princes. A desire which comes up against the refusal of the Paris City Hall and Anne Hidalgo. The conflict has been going on for several months now and the mayor of Paris is completely closed to the idea of this sale of the Parc des Princes.

“A question of life or death? Yes “

After brandishing the threat that the PSG leaves the Parc des Princes, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi now seems decided to get down to business. Indeed, during his appearance at the microphone of RMC this Thursday, the president of the capital club clearly implied that given the need to play in a larger stadium, the PSG was going to leave: The stadium question? I really like the Park, everyone loves it. If I listen to my heart, we're not leaving. But everyone in Europe has stadiums with 80,000, 90,000 seats… We need them, otherwise we are dead. A question of life or death? Yes. We are in France, but also in Europe. The city leaves us no choice ».

“We need to build the new stadium as quickly as possible”

Nasser Al-Khelaïfi then continued: “ I don't do politics. For us, we need a stadium ready in 3-4 years, we have no time to lose, otherwise we are behind other clubs in Europe. We need to build as quickly as possible. (…) What’s next? We have a few options. We need to build the new stadium as quickly as possible to be at the level we want ». The PSG at the Parc des Princes, so it's almost over. In the future, the capital club could therefore play in its own stadium which could be built within a few years.