LVMH's Arnault family faces off-pitch challenges at new Paris soccer club

PARIS : French billionaire Bernard Arnault's family is struggling to secure a deal on a much-needed new stadium for its recently acquired football team Paris FC, with compensation and other costs proving a sticking point in discussions, sources say. 

The family of the owner of French luxury giant LVMH, has been in talks since late last year with rugby team Stade Francais to share its Jean-Bouin stadium in western Paris to replace Paris FC's current venue, a run-down athletics stadium east of the city.  

The Arnault family announced the acquisition of the second-division club in November, teaming up with sports management experts Red Bull for their first foray into the world's most popular sport.

Antoine Arnault, Bernard's eldest son who spearheaded the investment, started discussions with Stade Francais soon after the deal was announced but so far has made no headway, said four sources with knowledge of the matter.

The negotiations centre on compensation for replacing the Jean-Bouin stadium's synthetic lawn, which will result in higher maintenance costs and some lost revenue for Stade Francais, adding to other issues including security and scheduling constraints, the sources said.

The rugby club initially asked Paris FC for an annual rent of almost 5 million euros - well over a third of the soccer club's 2023 annual turnover - to play its home matches in the stadium, said one of the sources. Another source said the latest demand was lower, around 4 million. 

Antoine Arnault, the city of Paris - which owns the stadium - and Stade Francais managing director Thomas Lombard all declined to comment.

Paris FC President Pierre Ferracci, whose team is well-positioned to make it to France's top-tier league next season, told RMC Sport