Even at the bottom of the hole, in the midst of its model, French football remains capable of capsizing hearts. The US Créteil-Lusitanos, Val-de-Marne training evolving in National 2, the fourth division, announced on Wednesday April 30, in a press release, that NJJ Holding, the personal holding company of Xavier Niel (individual shareholder of the Le Monde group), took a participation in the capital of the club.
“It is my way of returning to this city a little of what it gave me”says the businessman, Cristolien until he was 20 years old, in the press release. The current president of the US Créteil-Lusitanos, Tony Aly Homi, boss of HBL Holding, a group of services to work companies of 500 employees, is delighted that the team “May enter a new phase of its development with the arrival of a recognized investor”.
THE ” back [de Xavier Niel] At the head of our football club is a chance for our city (…) And for all round ball lovers »said, in the same text, Laurent Cathala, the mayor (Socialist Party) of Créteil. According to The Parisianthe founder of Free will be “The reference shareholder” US Créteil-Lusitanos and “Tony al Homi will retain a minority participation and ensure the transition”.
“Three priorities”
Building on the arrival of this famous shareholder, the US Créteil-Lusitanos aims to become “A major player in French football, while remaining faithful to his identity, his values and his local rooting”. According to the press release, Xaviel Niel’s project is “Founded on three priorities” :: “Invest in the future” with the implementation of a training center; “” professionalize the club »in strengthening the means at its disposal and by finding more partners; “Railling Créteil”by attracting a wider audience to the stadium. On the other hand, there is no mention of a sporting objective, as a future accession to Ligue 1, in the communication of the team.
This surprise arrival of the businessman in Ile-de-France football echoes the acquisition of Paris FC by the family of billionaire Bernard Arnault, in November 2024. The current second in the ranking of Ligue 2 could be guaranteed to join the elite next season if he won Martigues (Bouches-du-Rhône), Friday at 8 p.m.e Championship day.