In 2019, CF Montreal owner Joey Saputo unveiled his organization’s plans to modernize Stade Saputo. Since then, nothing has been done.
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On Tuesday, Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner Don Garber came to the defense of the 57-year-old businessman when quizzed by 98.5 FM reporter Jeremy Filosa.
“I think we all know how much Joey Saputo cares regarding the popularity of soccer in Canada and the success of his team,” Garber said first. However, he would like to be able to offer fans a stadium that will make his team shine, for example like BMO Field in Toronto, or like other stadiums here in the United States.
“Several pitfalls stand in front of him, he then added. Its agreement for its stadium is unique and practically prevents it from investing more money there to continue to offer fans the most modern experience. I know Joey wants to proceed and he’s very frustrated. But we limit him in what he can do, it must still remain logical and rational financially.
It would seem that the pitfalls of which the commissioner speaks come from the City of Montreal, the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough and the Olympic Park. They all have their say regarding any changes made to Stade Saputo.
A “successful” change of identity
It’s not just his home situation that isn’t rosy at CF Montreal. The club has been without a chairman since the resignation of Kevin Gilmore in November. The latter had been taken in dislike by the supporters of the club following the organization had proceeded to a change of identity by abandoning the name “Impact” in favor of CF Montreal.
Speaking of fans of the Montreal team, some of them – the Ultras of Section 132 – were banned from Stade Saputo last September. There has still been no reconciliation between the club and the group of supporters.
Never mind, Joey Saputo is the man for the job for Garber.
“He also had difficulties at the organizational level, it’s true, but recently he showed us his business plan and also the change of identity, which in my opinion is now successful. He is working very hard so that his club can move to the next level,” said the MLS commissioner.
Not a league of retirees
On a different note, Garber said he appreciates that soccer superstars like Neymar and Lionel Messi are interested in his circuit. He made it clear, however, that he didn’t like MLS being seen as a league to “retire.”
“We don’t need to bring in a great player at the end of his career because he has decided to retire in MLS,” said Garber.
“We want our story to be regarding young players who come here at the very beginning or at the peak of their careers, making our circuit their league of choice.”
On the YouTube show “Fenômenos” on Saturday, Neymar said he “very much wants to play in the United States, at least one season”.
“It’s a shorter championship, with three or four months of vacation. That way, we can play for many more years,” he added, before bursting out laughing.
Neymar, 30, currently has a valid contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2025.
