UEFA has not granted an exemption to Brest which will, if it qualifies, have to play a possible European Cup in another venue or be satisfied with 5,000 seats at the Francis-Le-Blé stadium. The European body informed the Breton club, currently 3rd in Ligue 1 and virtually qualified for the next Champions League, of its decision at the end of last week, indicates AFP.
Three of the four stands at Francis-Le Blé, a 102-year-old venue classified in category 2 out of 4 by UEFA, are based on tubular structures and not foundations, which UEFA regulations prohibit. The stadium can already only host Ligue 1 matches thanks to an exemption and, as it stands, only European Cup play-off rounds could take place there.
Brest, which is having an exceptional sporting season and is well placed to qualify for one of the three European Cups organized by UEFA (Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League), therefore now has the choice between still play in your stadium with the only stand that meets standards, with a capacity of around 5,000 seats, or find a base.
Rennes would seem the best option, with UEFA authorizing two clubs qualified for a European Cup to play in the same stadium. Breton leaders do not yet want to think about this solution. “We want to play the European Cup in Brest,” asserts club president Denis Le Saint in the columns of Telegramthis Tuesday.