Set for an upgrade: Stade Felix Mayol
Toulon have been force to begin alterations on Stade Felix-Mayol in order to bring it in line with the requirements for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.
Toulon are set to host Leicester on April 7, but need to increase the capacity of their home ground to conform with ERC regulations that require quarter-final venues to have a minimum capacity of 15 000.
Stade Mayol can hold 14 700 spectators and Toulon applied for exemption to the regulation, but in a press release on Wednesday, the French club confirmed that their request had been denied.
The mayor of Toulon has however presented a plan to increase the stadium's capacity to 15 020.
The ERC will inspect the stadium on February 4 before the Toulon city council's safety and security officials do the same on February 7.
If the ERC do not give the changes a green light, Toulon will look to host the games at the Stade des Costières in Nimes or the Parc des Sports d'Avignon.
Toulon have lost just one game on home soil (to Racing Metro in the Top 14) in all competitions this season,
Comments
zezelezien says...
@lawynd - I suppose yes! The capacity of both Mayol and Stoop is more or less the same, so if there is a solution for one... But it was strange to read that ERC refused Toulon to play in Mayol for only 300 seats missing whereas Quins announced they will play at the Stoop! I've seen that ERC is visiting Toulon again next monday... Let's see... Anyway thanks for your answer!
Posted 14:30 31st January 2013
lawynd says...
@zezelezien - I would imagine that with the stoop only being around 200 seats shy of the required 15,000 and having previously staged European competitions, they already have a plan in place that allows them to increase the capacity by the required amount fairly easily. Assuming Toulon's plan is acceptable then I can't imagine ERC having any problems with it.
Posted 11:29 31st January 2013
zezelezien says...
Harlequins are allowed to host the quarter-final at The Stoop... But as far as I know it cannot hold 15000 spectators!!! Depending on sources it's between 14300 and 14800!!!! Is it another trick of the mighty ERC or is there a real valid reason? Anyone please?!
Posted 22:47 30th January 2013
alanatleeds says...
The arbitrary 15k limit is rediculous. Better to stage a match at a true rugby stadium than go to the local soccer pitch and make do with a 6m dead ball area.
When I see that centre circle partially painted out I weep!
Posted 18:36 30th January 2013