The city of Metz has decided not to submit its Stade Saint-Symphorian for consideration of a Euro 2016 playing venue spot. This announced the mayor of Metz, Dominique Gros, on Wednesday.
A candidature of Metz had become relevant again after first Strasbourg and later Nancy pulled out of hosting matches during the tournament. Both cities could not attract the required funding to expand and modernise their stadiums.
This however left the French North-East without playing venue, after which the president of the French football federation FFF suggested that Metz, earlier declined as a potential host city, might be an interesting alternative.
FC Metz had concrete plans to redevelop their Stade Saint-Symphorian into a modern arena with 32,000 to 35,000 seats. The development would involve the construction of two new stands, the closing of the corners, and a new roof, with works performed over several phases.
Mayor Gros cited the insecurities in terms of funding (no state guarantees), the likelihood of not staying within the €45 mln budget, and the lack of support from the Metz community as the main reasons for their withdrawal from a possible candidature.
FC Metz announced to be disappointed by the mayor’s decision, and club President Bernard Serin called the decision “sudden and brutal.” Not unreasonable, as even though the mayor expressed his continued support for the club, it does plunge the whole redevelopment project in doubt, which would result in the club being stuck in their current aged and dilapidated stadium.
Metz’s withdrawal might however open doors again for potential host cities Rennes and Nantes, which had previously been rejected, but are still considered as reserves. Rennes though already stated only to be interested in staging matches at their Stade de la Route de Lorient with its current capacity of 29,000 seats, not willing to invest in a costly expansion to 34,000 seats.
© Renovation render: fcmetz.com