Obviously, there is an element of bluff in this announcement.
Put pressure on the town hall of Biarritz, push it to reverse its decision to withdraw from the Aguilera real estate project.
The owners of Biarritz Olympique had made this program - construction of apartments and shops around the stadium - the condition for the economic survival of the Pro D2 club (currently 3rd in the standings).
But the new mayor of the seaside resort, Maider Arosteguy, elected last June, put an end to this development project wanted by the BOPB, considered too expensive.
An end of inadmissibility.
For threats now brandished by the Gave family, majority shareholder of BO, and President Jean-Baptiste Aldigé.
Which work on two hypotheses, knowing that that of a merger with the historic rival of Aviron Bayonnais is excluded.
Or a liquidation with the outright closure of Biarritz Olympique;
or a relocation.
That could lead the Brennus five-shielded club to merge across the border, with the Spanish Basque town of San Sebastian.
"
Relocating a rugby company is no different from relocating a ready-to-wear company which no longer has any activity in a territory
"
Jean-Baptiste Aldigé, president of the BO
Sud Ouest
reveals, however, that another relocation option is also under consideration.
A serious path that would lead to the transfer of Biarritz Olympique 1,000 km further north, in… Lille!
“Relocating a rugby company is no different from relocating a ready-to-wear company, for example, which no longer has any activity in a territory.
We are no longer talking about colors or sports results, it goes beyond that ”, warned Jean-Baptiste Aldigé on February 19 at the microphone of RMC Sport.
»READ ALSO - Serge Blanco back at Biarritz Olympique
A solution that obviously does not suit Maider Arosteguy at all: “For me, to say that we are going to relocate a club does not make any sense.
The club is anchored in a territory.
It has value for its results, but also what it transmits, for its values of sharing and respect.
We are already quite far from it… If we relocate, the club is over in my opinion.
Perhaps there will always be its employees, but the club will be dead, ”replied the mayor of Biarritz also on RMC Sport.
Read also
Ranking Pro D2 2020/2021