L’Équipe report today that Versailles are currently exploring their options with regard to a potential new home should they earn promotion to Ligue 2 this season, with the club from the Parisian suburbs currently sitting in second place in the third-tier National.
The ambitious project – which has notably seen them sign former Dutch international Jeremain Lens – reaped early rewards last season with a Coupe de France semi-final and promotion from the fourth division. As a result, in order to comply with regulations they were made to leave the Stade Montbauron, in the city of Versailles, and play their home games at the Stade Jean-Bouin – a ground shared with rugby club Stade Français and sitting opposite the Parc des Princes.
The latter stadium’s artificial pitch, though, is incompatible with Ligue 2 regulations. As a result, the team have already begun talks with the French FA, who have told them to have a solution ready should they go up. One option would be to change the pitch at Jean-Bouin, which would require an agreement, and potentially a financial contribution, from the rugby team. The club could also look further afield – namely in Le Mans, a three-hour drive to the west of Paris, or even to Villeneuve-d’Ascq, the suburb of Lille where the Ligue 1 club’s stadium is located.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
