The French government has announced the end of the €12M ($15.6M) allowance "essential for the economic stability" of the Stade de France stadium, according to Philippe Romain of LE FIGARO. Sports Minister Valerie Fourneyron announced that the €12M allowance due to a lack of home club that the state handed to the consortium will not take place starting in '13. Fourneyron said, "Since 1995, the state has already handed €115M ($149.5M) even though the Stade de France generates revenue each year. We are not here to participate in the surplus." The news is "a cold shower" for the future of the stadium. The French Rugby Federation (FFR), has also decided not to renew its contract with the arena. The FFR paid €1.3M ($1.7M) in rent for every match they played there. For its part, the French Football Federation (FFF) "hopes to renegotiate" the €5M ($6.5M) per year deal it has through '25 (LE FIGARO, 10/2). In Paris, RTL asked "are we heading towards the end of the Stade de France?" Stadium Dir Philippe Auroy said that he understood the government's decision. Auroy: "In the economic and current budget context, we understand the reasoning and decision of the state. But we consider it urgent that the minister brings together the federations involved to assure and organize the sustainability of the stadium" (RTL, 10/3).
