Paris FC scarf around his neck, Antoine Arnault, all smiles, stood up to applaud the magnificent first goal scored by Maxime Lopez. The general director of Christian Dior SE, the family holding company which notably controls LVMH (Editor’s note: also owner of Le Parisien) embodies the future project of Paris FC of which he will become president within three years.
Accustomed to the stands of the Parc des Princes and at PSG, Antoine Arnault (47 years old) attended against Grenoble (2-1) for the first time in a match of the current leader of L2 at the Charléty stadium. Arriving about half an hour before kick-off, he was accompanied by one of his brothers, Frédéric, who was also involved in the discussions for the future takeover of Paris FC.
Seated in the front row of the presidential stand, he was surrounded by Rai, club ambassador and of President Pierre Ferracci with whom he exchanged a lot. For a first, he must not have regretted his afternoon. The Charléty stands were full with 15,412 spectators, i.e. the second attendance in the club’s history in this stadium for a Ligue 2 championship match (excluding play-offs) behind 17,358 spectators against Saint-Étienne on March 2.
In the stands, the atmosphere was great and on the pitch, Stéphane Gilli’s players offered a very high level performance during the first 60 minutes against Grenoble (2-1) which allowed them to consolidate their leadership position with 4 points ahead of Lorient (2nd) and five over Dunkirk (3rd). A little break.
Antoine Arnault did not go down to the locker room
“There are lots of things being created around the club,” underlines coach Stéphane Gilli. When we looked at the stands and this fervor, it felt good. A full stadium, victory… I hope he (Editor’s note: Antoine Arnault) enjoyed the show. »
Wanting to remain discreet, Antoine Arnault did not go down to the locker room to accompany Pierre Ferracci to congratulate the players. In the VIP lounge, he listened to the speeches, without intervening. He then took photos with his son and two Paris FC players, Ilan Kebbal and Jean-Philippe Krasso. Then, he met Yvan Wouandji and the Saint-Mandé Cécifoot club, who came to do an event on the stadium square.
He then left Charléty with flocked Paris FC jerseys for his children, which the club managers had prepared for him in small bags.
The project presented to employees
His presence around the club should intensify in the coming weeks. On Wednesday, he already came to visit the Orly center, meet the staff, players before presenting his project to the club’s administrative employees, with whom he made a very good impression.
The final takeover should be finalized by December, following an upcoming appearance before the DNCG. A hearing planned when there are new owners in a club but which should only be a formality.
Given the quality of their performances since the announcement of the future takeover, at Troyes and against Grenoble, the players do not seem, in any case, disturbed by the change in size of the club. “To be honest, personally, I was a little afraid that all the media coverage surrounding the sale would put a little negative pressure,” admits Maxime Lopez. But on the contrary, I think it put positive pressure on everyone. It must stimulate us and make us want even more to have a great season because there are some very good things happening for this club. »
The former OM midfielder, become the real metronome of the PFCconcludes: “It’s up to us players to do what we need to do to get up there as quickly as possible (in Ligue 1). The guys didn’t think too much and didn’t ask themselves questions like: now that there are big owners, are we going to stay? They say to themselves, oIt’s here, we might as well enjoy it and continue what we’re doing. This is what is happening. »