Paris 13 Atletico’s stadium could be renamed Stade Pelé | OneFootball

Paris 13 Atletico were promoted to the semi-professional French third division last season, only just returning to their home stadium, Stade Boutroux, in recent weeks following necessary infrastructure upgrades to meet league regulations.

Another major change could be set to be made to the ground; which is sandwiched between a motorway, a cemetery, and an active SNCF train depot in the southern suburbs of Paris. It could soon be renamed Stade Pelé.

Le Parisien journalist Laurent Pruneta reports that both the Parisian club and the mayor’s authority of the 13th District of Paris (from which the club derives its name) want to change the name of the 3rd tier stadium to Stade Pelé. Local authorities said the following in a communiqué:

“In the wake of Pele’s funeral and Fifa’s call for all its member countries to name a stadium after the legendary Brazilian footballer, the mayor of the 13th arrondissement and the president of Paris 13 Atletico have made a proposal to rename the stadium on Avenue Boutroux in the 13th arrondissement as the Pele Stadium. Naming the stadium in a working-class district that hosts the largest club in France in terms of the number of members and the largest football school for young boys and girls with a passion for football would be the best tribute that could be paid to King Pele! The Pelé stadium would thus naturally be the temple of popular football!”

The matter is set to be voted on by the municipal council, before another vote by the whole city’s council in order to ratify the name change.