‘A dying stadium’ – Two clubs could hosts Brest’s Champions League games

If Stade Brestois qualify for the Champions League then they will be unable to use their stadium the Stade Francis-le Blé in its current capacity. 

According to L’Équipe , the 102-year-old stadium would need major renovation to meet UEFA’s requirements, as it already has exemptions from the LFP to allow it to play in Ligue 1. 

As far as capacity goes, the stadium is fine, but it would need work on parking spaces, VIP and media areas, increased space for the television broadcasts, as well as lighting and turnstiles at the entrance. However, as has been reported by Le Télégramme these fixes by in large are solvable for Brest, it is the structure of the stadium that may prove more challenging. 

Three of the four stands in the stadium rest on tubulars, which are prohibited by UEFA. Although UEFA can grant special requests, as they lay out in their regulations, “ may grant an exception to a specific structural criterion for the stadium .” 

The situation will become clearer when UEFA send their technicians to inspect the site during March or early April. Until then, Brest will be left to wonder if they will have to consider moving their European games. And the club have not yet contacted the city about any possible work. 

The Mayor of Brest, François Cuillandre, speaking to L’Équipe analysed the situation, “ The questions about Francis-le Blé show… the need to build a new stadium. ” He continued, “ The reality of what we are experiencing today shows that if we don’t do it, we will always be in trouble. The current stadium, which belongs to the city, has benefited from exemptions for more than ten years, and these are somewhat the same questions that will arise if we are in a European cup .” 

He further cast doubts on the