Former players to present buyout bid

pulse

May 8, 2017 5:52 PM

Four former teammates have joined forces in a bid to buy the struggling Top 14 club.

Christophe Dominici -- who played for Stade Francais from 1997 to 2008 -- has joined forces with former teammates Thomas Lombard, Sylvain Marconnet and Mathieu Blin in a bid to buy the club

A group of former Stade Français players will present their bid to buy out the struggling Top 14 side this midweek, retired winger Christophe Dominici said on Monday.

"We are going to present our offer Wednesday to (club president) Thomas Savare," former France international Dominici told lequipe.fr.

Dominici -- who played for Stade Francais from 1997 to 2008 -- has joined forces with former teammates Thomas Lombard (1997-2004), Sylvain Marconnet (1997-2010) and Mathieu Blin (1997-2010) in a bid to buy the club.

The 44-year-old said that their project was backed by several investors none of whom would have "more than 15 percent of the club" and was independent from a bid by German billionaire Hans-Peter Wild whose "philosophy did not gel with ours".

The 75-year-old Wild is reported to be close to making an offer for the 14-time French champions, who failed to make the play-offs in this year's Top 14.

Dominici said that if their project was accepted then Blin -- who will leave his role as manager of second-tier Agen at the end of the season -- would be appointed sporting director.

Savare will leave his position as Stade president next month after presenting a controversial failed merger with Paris rivals Racing 92 in March which resulted in a disruptive players' strike.

"Everything is ready on the sports side," explained the 67-times capped Dominici, adding they could put together "a very beautiful team" for next season.

There have also been reports that former Stade coach Richard Pool-Jones and ex-Racing 92 manager Arnaud Tourtoulou, backed by a group of investors, are preparing a bid.

Qatar Sports Investments -- owners of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain -- are also reported to be interested in acquiring the rugby club.

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