Paris FC clinches Ligue 1 return six months after prominent takeover

Half a year after a joint ownership that saw the involvement of Europe’s wealthiest individual and beverage powerhouse Red Bull, Paris FC managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Martigues on Friday, ensuring their promotion to Ligue 1.

This achievement marks the first time in 35 years that Paris will boast two teams in the French top tier.

Set along the stunning Mediterranean coast in Martigues, Paris FC’s draw marked a triumphant return for Bernard Arnault, Europe’s richest man and the founder of LVMH, the luxury goods conglomerate behind iconic labels like Dior, Louis Vuitton, and the champagne house Moët & Chandon.

Pierre-Yves Hamel gave Paris FC the lead in the 49th minute, but Martigues equalised just ten minutes later from a corner kick.

With third-placed Metz drawing 3-3 at home against Rodez, Paris FC is assured of finishing second in Ligue 2, with one match remaining. They trail league leaders Lorient by two points and have the chance to clinch the top spot when they face Ajaccio in their final encounter.

‘Ambitious Vision’

The Arnault family acquired a controlling interest in the club last November, with Antoine Arnault, Bernard’s eldest son, expressing their goal to transform the historically modest team into a competitive force.

“This is an ambitious vision, but one that is achievable,” stated Antoine Arnault.

Red Bull, the Austrian energy drink firm with stakes in clubs across Austria, Germany, the USA, Brazil, Japan, and England, holds slightly over 10 percent as junior partners.

Currently, Paris FC competes in the southern part of Paris at Charlety Stadium. This university venue features an athletics track, which Klopp described as “not conducive to creating an atmosphere.” He mentioned, “It’s been a long time since I watched a game from that distance.”

The rivalry in Ligue 1 with reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, another billion-dollar club known for their blue kits and the Eiffel Tower in their logo, will intensify as Paris FC moves in as their next-door neighbours.

Paris FC plans to relocate to Stade Jean-Bouin, a rugby stadium with a capacity of 19,600, located just across from Parc des Princes, home to Paris Saint-Germain, on the western edge of the city. A decade ago, the ground briefly hosted a less glamorous team from the Paris suburbs, Red Star.

While positioning themselves literally in PSG’s territory may seem provocative, Antoine Arnault maintains a diplomatic stance regarding their rival.

“You’ll never hear me say anything derogatory about PSG,” he remarked.

Instead, he emphasised their ambition to tap into the rich reservoir of young football talent in the Paris area.

“Our aim is to develop a team featuring five, six, seven, or even eight players who have risen through the youth academy,” said Antoine, who is supported by his brothers and elder sister, Delphine.