The victory (2-0) of US Orléans, Friday December 15, against Épinal, during the 16th day of National, was celebrated on the annex field of the La Source stadium, in front of a small handful of supporters. A few hours before the match, the French Football Federation had formalized the relocation of the match due to the persistent presence of pieces of glass on the main pitch of the Source sports stadium.
A situation which has prevented, since the end of November, any sporting events from taking place there. In question, a sanding and regeneration operation of the lawn which apparently went wrong. Noting the damage, the municipality, which owns the land, was forced, on November 30, to prohibit access to the pitch, in order to “not put the players at risk”. Since then, a large part of the glass pieces have been extracted from this hybrid terrain, made up of woven fiber covered with earth and natural grass.
But a firm specializing in sports floor diagnostics mandated by the City estimated last week that the cleaning operation was not sufficient. To hope to play again in its stadium as soon as possible, the USO has two options. The first – the least expensive – consists of sowing a new lawn, the second solution, more efficient and faster, would be to lay rolls of grass at a cost estimated at 500,000 euros.
“They are not protruding or as big as a hand”
At a press conference, Karim Mokkedem, the new coach of the USO, currently 9th in his championship, did not have harsh enough words against the maintenance of the municipal decree: “If there were protruding pieces of glass , as big as my hand which can sever a tendon, I wouldn’t tell you that. But that’s not the case at all.”
Discussions are taking place to find a way out. When requested, the town hall hopes to be able to announce “good news” at the end of the week or just after Christmas. The club, for its part, hopes to return to its stadium as soon as possible. Players need the support of their public to catch up with the leading pack. The dream of reaching Ligue 2 is still within reach. The delay on 3rd is only 5 small points.
