Announced for several months by its president Pierre Ferracci, the arrival of a new shareholder (minority) is now almost finalized. Paris FC, which passes Thursday in front of the DNCG, should formalize it by the end of the month. This is a first step in the process of opening up capital where, whatever happens, Pierre Ferracci will remain the majority. "I'm not a salesperson," he says.
For several months, the Parisian president has met many investors, including foreigners. “Paris FC is growing, the club's project today attracts a lot of appetites, good and not so good. I had to sort it out, ”he continues.
Pierre Ferracci met the son of the king of Bahrain
As revealed by the independent journalist Romain Molina following information from the Team, the Parisian president, did meet, at the beginning of March, Nasser ben Hamed Al Khalifa, one of the sons of the king of Bahrain. The small Gulf monarchy already owns a World Tour (1st Division) cycling team, Bahrain-McLaren. In December, it bought the Spanish football club Cordoba (3rd division) for 3 M €. And recently, Bahrain signed an agreement with France for the development of sport, especially football. But the Kingdom does not have the financial power of Qatar or Saudi Arabia. It would therefore be more of an equity investment and not with huge sums.
This model corresponds to the aspirations of Ferracci who wants to set up a round table with a pool of minority shareholders while retaining control of the club he has chaired since 2012. The CEO of the Alpha group, who will pass part-time and leave the operational management of his company in the fall, has also planned "to devote more time to the club" in the coming months.
"The capital will remain predominantly national and regional," says the president of Paris FC.
If he wants to continue "taking his time", Pierre Ferracci does not close the door on the arrival of foreign investors. Even if he did not wish to confirm this, the Bahrain track is therefore one of the possibilities.
"The containment has delayed some negotiations but in addition to the investor who will arrive, I will continue to open the capital in the coming months," he said. The capital will remain mainly national and regional, that is the essential. There will also be foreign capital in the club tomorrow, coming from different backgrounds but which will have a common characteristic. "
Thanks to these new resources, the budget (€ 14.5 million this season) will be increased. “I have always said that the objective is to climb to L1 within 2-3 years. After the difficult season that we have just lived (17th), we already want to get back in the direction of travel by relocating in the first part of the table, "concludes the manager.