The information is reported by L’Equipe: a discussion would have been initiated between Emmanuel Macron and Gianni Infantino for the purchase by FIFA of the Stade de France. The French head of state and the president of the international football body are said to have discussed the subject during the World Cup in Qatar last December, before extending their discussions during a meeting at the Elysée Palace on 15 February. According to L’Equipe, Emmanuel Macron “is said to be in favour of the idea of selling the Saint-Denis stadium, which belongs to the state and is currently managed by a consortium comprising Vinci and Bouygues, whose concession expires on 30 June 2025“. The state was due to launch a call for tenders last month. The idea of becoming the owner of the Saint-Denis stadium would have come from Gianni Infantino. The world football boss is said to have submitted it to Noël Le Graët, the former president of the French Football Federation (FFF), who considered it relevant. Unsurprisingly, FIFA has denied any plans to buy the Stade de France. The Zurich-based body does not own any sports stadiums and is not, a priori, interested in becoming an owner.
