The Ultramarines at Matmut Atlantique.
-
Nicolas Tucat
This Wednesday, the town hall of Bordeaux brought together club and supporters during a conciliation committee to try to find a solution in the conflict between the Ultramarines and the management of the Girondins.
For the first time, there was a dialogue between the two parties and even some advances about the club logo or the security conditions of the supporters in the stadium.
Club management also vowed to do everything to get a speech from King Street, the club's US investment fund.
He has never spoken publicly since the takeover of Marine et Blanc in 2018
Three hours.
This is the time for the third meeting of the conciliation committee dedicated to the Girondins, organized by the town hall of Bordeaux.
A detail perhaps, but not trivial at all since during the last interview in October 2020 the representatives of Ultramarines, the largest group of Bordeaux supporters, had left the table after only a few minutes.
This Wednesday, they were back, in the absence of the CEO of the club Frédéric Longuépée and his right-hand man, Arnaud Poupard, the security officer of the Navy and White.
"There was a dialogue so it is already a step forward, greets Florian Brunet the spokesperson for the Ultramarines, it was alive but we did not let go and we will say that there are openings".
For its part, the town hall speaks of a meeting which took place in "a peaceful and constructive atmosphere".
It is the first time since the beginning of the conflict between the management of the club and the supporters that such a positive speech has been made.
So what are these advances?
The first relates to the new logo of the club so much decried in recent months.
Alain Giresse, co-chair of this conciliation committee with Mayor Pierre Hurmic, spoke on this subject in particular.
The club offered the Ultramarines to work on a special logo for the 140th anniversary of the Girondins, which will be celebrated next fall.
But for now, there is no question of replacing the current club logo with one in the short term.
The town hall evokes discussions on this point.
The current logo of the Girondins de Bordeaux.
- NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP
Soon a King Street speech?
During this meeting, where some former glories of the Navy and White (Laslandes and Grenet) were present, the club was represented by its director of operations Ulrich Ramé and its general manager, Thomas Jacquemier.
The Ultramarines would also like to salute the latter's attitude, echoing that of Frédéric Longuépée: “It was good.
We found with him a human and respectful interlocutor who listens to us.
Afterwards it's always the same, we expect actions and more beautiful words.
"
During this meeting, Thomas Jacquemier "promised to do everything to get Daniel Ehrmann out of the woods [the manager in charge of the Girondins file at King Street, the American investment fund that owns the club]", explains one of the participants.
A speech that also ardently wishes the town hall of Bordeaux.
As a reminder, no KS leader has spoken publicly since the club's takeover in 2018.
Ultramarines Bordeaux press release pic.twitter.com/SaXlKQjXJX
- Ultramarines 1987 (@ ub87officiel) March 17, 2021
Stadium security negotiations
Another theme discussed this Wednesday, the return of supporters to the stadium when the health situation allows.
The Ultramarines have expressed concern over this subject if the context does not change by then.
Some concessions were reportedly made by the club such as the return of the fan group's truck to the stadium.
Without giving an immediate answer, the club listened to the supporters' requests (freedom of expression, no unknown steward, return of David Lafarge as a major interlocutor for security at the stadium) and the town hall seemed to agree to these.
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Aquitaine
Sport
Girondins of Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Pierre Hurmic
Soccer
League 1