We won’t go so far as to evoke a Gianni Infantino effect… But the surprise visit of the president of Fifa to inaugurate the Pelé stadium on Saturday June 15 was followed by effects for Paris 13 Atletico. According to our information, the French Federation has in fact authorized him to play National matches in the old Boutroux stadium, renamed Pelé. At the beginning of the month, however, it was downgraded by the FFF, which no longer made it approved for National matches.
But the various developments (new entrance) and the prospect of future work for a budget (already voted) of 14 million euros, have made it review its position. The club also sent videos to show that a bus (that of the opposing team in this case) could enter and be parked within the stadium grounds. This was one of the security elements that was missing in Boutroux’s old configuration. This element was decisive in reclassifying the Pelé stadium in category B, therefore approved for the National.
Paris 13 Atletico is very happy to have been able to inaugurate the Pelé stadium. A big thank you for their presence to Gianni Infantino, President of Fifa and Ricardo Neiva Tavares, Ambassador of Brazil, to the elected officials for their support, to the volunteers, educators and licensees. pic.twitter.com/bALETebN3U
— Paris 13 Atletico (@Paris13Atletico) June 15, 2024
But, there will only be a few matches in the 13th arrondissement. Another main field, which must be used as a priority, has been selected by the FFF.
If the Charléty option – where Paris 13 Atletico had played four matches in 2022-2023 – was ruled out because of problems with the pitch, a rather unexpected solution was found with the Maryse-Hilsz stadium, located near the gate of Montreuil in the 20th century. This complex has never hosted matches of this level. The last user in a French Championship was UJA-Maccabi Paris ten years ago when the club was still playing in N3. It will therefore bring back some memories for coach Fabien Valeri who led UJA-Maccabi at that time.
But the Maryse-Hilsz stadium offers all the necessary guarantees in terms of security and is approved by the FFF. At the beginning of last week, representatives of the Federation and the Paris town hall came to inspect it. Paris town hall has undertaken to carry out some necessary development work, in particular an increase in the level of lighting. The locker rooms have already been redone. The synthetic turf will also need to be improved.
Already nine recruits while waiting for others
Paris 13 Atletico, which will pass before the DNCG this Tuesday June 26 and had until June 30 to find an approved pitch, can therefore be relieved.
In terms of recruitment, the promoted to National has already signed nine players who played in N2: defenders Enzo Valentim and Lassana Diako (Créteil), Sadia Diakhabi (Le Puy), Steven Luyambula (Bergerac), midfielders Sony Butrot (La Roche- sur-Yon), Jérémy Mangonzo (Fleury), attackers Abdelsamad Hachem (FC 93 Bobigny), Théo Mothmora (Saint-Pryvé), Issiaka Karamoko (Le Puy). Young profiles, with great potential and mostly from the Paris region. Four to five more experienced reinforcements are now expected.
If Paris 13 Atletico retains several players (Sanou, Moussa Diarra, Dexet, Vérité, L. Valeri), it will, on the other hand, lose its two top scorers, Brandon Bokangu (Sochaux?) and Abdelmalek Amara. (Nîmes?).
