Lille stadium appeal rejected

Wednesday 28 December, 2005

Lille will be forced to move to a new stadium after planning permission to increase the Stade Grimonprez-Jooris was rejected again.

The French side had appealed against the initial decision to turn down plans to expand their current ground, but that appeal was dismissed by the local authorities on Wednesday.

Lille’s plans were disrupted by the discovery of an ancient citadel in the close vicinity of the stadium. They have been playing their home matches at the Stadium du Nord for the past 18 months.

Plans to construct a new stadium are already afoot, although Club President Michel Seydoux had made it clear that the best and most cost-effective solution would be to expand the Stade Grimonprez-Jooris.