Parc des Princes: Letting PSG go would be a political, sporting and historical mistake, says Emmanuel Grégoire

As announced last week on France Info, the new mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, has officially revived the discussion about selling the Parc des Princes to PSG. The successor of Anne Hidalgo received the mandate from the Paris Council on Tuesday evening to “initiate discussions” with president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the first essential step on the long path that could lead to an agreement.

Emmanuel Grégoire reaffirmed his personal desire to find common ground for a regulated sale of the Porte d’Auteuil stadium. “Letting Paris Saint-Germain leave Parc des Princes would be a political, sporting, and historical mistake,” he notably declared.

The resumption of discussions should ensure PSG stays in their stadium as part of a broad project to develop a “Porte des Princes” between Porte de Saint-Cloud and Porte d’Auteuil. The revenue from this sale or lease will be fully used for the development of local sports, the construction and renovation of sports facilities, as well as the redevelopment of Porte de Saint-Cloud,” the mayor assured, promising that there would be no shopping center.

He also committed to creating a cross-party working group within the Paris Council. However, the communists and ecologists from the new majority abstained, calling for a consultation with Parisians before any decision, a choice dismissed by Grégoire.

While the situation was deadlocked with Anne Hidalgo, prompting Nasser Al-Khelaïfi to threaten moving to Massy (Essonne) or Poissy (Yvelines), these signs of goodwill from the city hall please PSG leaders. The Parisian club issued a statement on Wednesday morning acknowledging the Paris Council’s decision and expressing willingness to “reopen discussions.” This will surely brighten the day for thousands of club supporters.