Istres home at last
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Article summary
French strugglers FC Istres have been given a lift after being told they can finally begin using their new stadium.
Article body
Green light
Local authorities have given the club the green light to start playing at the 17,000-seater Stade Parsemain in just over two weeks, when FC Sochaux-Montbéliard arrive for a Ligue 1 fixture. The Provence side, who were unable to use their old Bardin stadium on safety grounds, have been playing home matches 70km away in Nimes.
President happy
"It's a great relief," said Istres president Bertrand Benoît, after administrative reasons delayed work on the new venue for several months over the winter. "Supporters will now be able to really get behind our team." Istres, bottom of Ligue 1 and seven points adrift of safety, will hope to take maximum points from their four remaining home fixtures as they fight for survival.
