Altrad reveals: “In Béziers, I was promised the moon and the stars if I came”
Mohed Altrad, in open conflict with the Montpellier city council regarding the MHR stadium, has fueled tensions by expressing his desire to relocate to Béziers. Encouraged by the mayor of Béziers, Robert Ménard, he is considering building a new stadium and leaving the Septeo Stadium. By attending a match in Béziers, Altrad demonstrated his growing interest in the city, casting doubt on the MHR’s sporting future in Montpellier.
The Conflict with the Montpellier City Council
The disagreement between Mohed Altrad and the Montpellier municipality, represented by Michaël Delafosse, seems to intensify daily. The heart of the problem: the Septeo Stadium, the current home of the MHR. Altrad is calling for significant renovations, threatening to permanently relocate his operations to Béziers if nothing is done. “The mayor of Montpellier has no power over me because I have all the power,” he firmly declared on Radio Peinard Skyrock.
The Relocation of the All Blacks XV Match
As an illustration of this tense atmosphere, the match between the All Blacks XV and Uruguay, initially scheduled for Montpellier, was relocated to Béziers. While attending the match, Altrad showed a clear interest in Béziers, confirmed by his flattering remarks about this attractive city. His presence in the Béziers region raises questions about the future of potential high-profile matches in Montpellier.
The Promises of Béziers
Amidst his tensions with Montpellier, Altrad is seriously considering the tempting offers from the Béziers town hall. “Come here, we’ll give you everything you want, done by the book: politically, materially, fiscally, legally…,” Robert Ménard, the mayor of Béziers, reportedly promised him. These enticing words suggest a bright future for rugby in Béziers, should Altrad decide to take the plunge.
The Current Sporting Challenges of MHRIn parallel with these real estate and political discussions, MHR is experiencing a tumultuous season on the field. Mohed Altrad has not hidden his concerns about his team’s fluctuating performance. “Since the beginning of the season, there have been ups and downs in practically every match,” he admitted. Altrad suggests that a thorough reassessment is necessary, while intriguingly mentioning a potential problem with Bernard Laporte. The need for a victory, particularly against Perpignan in a match once again relocated to Béziers, adds another layer of complexity to this situation.