What do Moudenc and Maurice think of the future American bosses of the TFC?

• Jean-Luc Moudenc, outgoing mayor (LR) of Toulouse, says he is "reassured" by his discussions with leaders of RedBird Capital, future bosses of the TFC.
• The ecologist Antoine Maurice (Citizen Archipelago) "takes note" of the arrival of the American investment fund, even if he does not hide that he would have preferred local partners.
• The two opponents in the second round of the municipal elections in Toulouse on June 28 agree on the civic dimension that the club must keep.

The meeting lasted three quarters of an hour. Thursday evening at the Capitole, the mayor of Toulouse (LR) Jean-Luc Moudenc, accompanied by Laurence Arribagé (assistant in charge of sports) received the present and the future of the TFC. Olivier Sadran, club boss since 2001, came with his current right-hand man Jean-François Soucasse and the very likely future president Damien Comolli, representative in France of RedBird Capital Partners.

The Americans Gerry Cardinale, founding director of the American investment company, and Alec Scheiner, sports specialist at "l'Oiseau Rouge", spoke by videoconference from the United States. Except cataclysm, this fund born in 2014 will buy 85% of the club relegated to Ligue 2 by mid-July.

Football: What we know about the possible takeover of the TFC by Americans https://t.co/Z0VIwBBuMg via @ 20minutes pic.twitter.com/lWJbpYbxQD

"My wish is that there is a sports project, not just a financial transaction," explains Jean-Luc Moudenc. When I see what is happening in Bordeaux [held by an American investment fund, the Girondins are in the doldrums], the difficulties of my colleague Nicolas Florian [LR], I wanted to know these investors. "

“Very direct, very enthusiastic” investors for Moudenc

Verdict? “I was reassured. I did not feel them ambiguous or elusive but on the contrary very direct, very enthusiastic, extremely thoughtful. Gerry Cardinale said that they are not only investing with a view to profitability, but that they are investing for the long term. "

A left gathered at the forceps facing the outgoing mayor LR in Toulouse https://t.co/YKMiT4hXQx via @ 20Minutes pic.twitter.com/VBHQZqxfFz

Antoine Maurice, him, has not yet met the future tauliers of the TFC, very engaged in the US sport, as in baseball (New York Yankees) and American football (Dallas Cowboys) among many others. But the head of the ecological list of Citizen Archipelago (EELV-LFI) should do so if it delights the town hall to its current tenant, at the end of the second round of municipal elections which will oppose them, on June 28.

"Of course, we can regret that we did not find local investors because it is always preferable, observes the candidate on the left. Relocation remains our credo. However, we take note. The TFC remains a sports company, so there is no comment to make on the new shareholders. "

In #Toulouse, the outgoing mayor, Jean-Luc Moudenc (LR) leaves the sulphate against "the dark forces" of Citizen Archipelago https://t.co/WYpwhr8JFE via @ 20minutes pic.twitter.com/2udZ2nC8CH

If the electoral campaign has been significantly tense in recent days, the two opponents claim to share a similar desire: the club must continue to assume its civic commitment. "Sport is also about social cohesion, the link with amateur clubs, neighborhoods, youth, sectors in which the TFC has invested a lot," says Jean-Luc Moudenc. The Americans told me that this is also how they intended to work. "

Maurice praises Sadran

"Even in a sport where money reigns, we want to be partners to maintain and deepen the civic dimension of the club, which must be open, generous and united," says Antoine Maurice. Besides, we must salute Oliver Sadran for his commitment and his passion. He built a quality training center, forged relationships with the other clubs in the city and saved the Stadium from violence. He made a clear commitment against racism and homophobia. "

Sadran should keep 15% of the Violets' shares, after 19 years of absolute rule. When they are in charge, the Americans will not however have their hands completely free, since they will have to respect a convention which allows the Stade Toulousain to desert Ernest-Wallon (19,000 seats) several times a season to compete for big posters at the Stadium (33,000 spectators), property of Toulouse Métropole.

Didier Lacroix, a “fantastic boy” according to Olivier Sadran

"In front of his American partners, Olivier Sadran described Didier Lacroix [president of Stade Toulousain] as a" fantastic boy ", underlines Jean-Luc Moudenc. They said OK. "

All these beautiful words and intentions will quickly be put to the test of reality. Unless the club's appeal to the Council of State results in a - fairly improbable - reinstatement in Ligue 1, the rapid return to the elite will pass through Chambly, Pau or Rodez. By the start of the Ligue 2 season on August 23, the new TFC masters will know who to deal with on the Capitol side.

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• Ligue 2
• League 1
• Jean-Luc Moudenc
• TFC
• Soccer
• Sport
• Toulouse
• Municipal