Saint-Etienne (AFP)
A Cambodian prince, Norodom Ravichak, approached to take over AS Saint-Etienne, confirmed in an interview with RFI radio to be "officially a candidate" for the takeover, promising "sufficient means" for the club, current penultimate of Ligue 1, can "regain its splendor".
"It is true that I officially became a candidate for the resumption of AS Saint-Etienne", confirmed in this interview this prince, aged 47, and grandson of the former king Norodom Sihanouk.
His father, Norodom Chakrapong, is a politician and businessman, half-brother of the current king.
The candidate for the takeover of ASSE is not the crown prince, but a businessman.
"Thanks to my business networks, I was able to meet personalities from the world of football and, one thing leading to another, learned about the ASSE sales project a few months ago. My goal today is to take care of Saint-Etienne ", added Norodom Ravichak, saying he wanted to invest" in the long term ".
ASSE, a ten-time French champion club, has been experiencing serious financial difficulties for several months against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and reduction in revenue from TV rights.
In two years, the budget fell from 110 million euros to 70 million euros and the club was officially put on sale in the spring.
"I am passionate about football and I grew up being enthusiastic about the French championship and of course the France team. This is how I have always had a particular affection for ASSE which occupies a place except among the very big clubs of the Hexagon ”, continued Norodom Ravichak.
He "hopes to move forward as quickly as possible" in the acquisition process, affirming "not to come to carry out a financial transaction" while "bringing in solid partners that he will present when the time comes".
"If we come to an understanding, I will provide sufficient means to achieve these ambitions and allow Saint-Etienne to regain its splendor", he added, wishing "to develop academies in Cambodia and Asia".
"My ambition for Saint-Etienne is national and international", argues this prince.
Already initiated in 2018 without the transaction being successful, the process of selling the club was relaunched last spring by the two shareholders, Bernard Caïazzo (67 years old) and Roland Romeyer (76 years old), in place since 2004.
The Anglo-Dutch audit firm KPMG was commissioned to study the files to find the ideal candidate.
The figure of a minimum of one hundred million euros has often been mentioned for the acquisition of shares and the essential investment to follow in recruitment.
© 2021 AFP