Inside the 102-year-old stadium of the Champions League club, unfit for Europe

STRADE BRESTOIS is making history this season under manager Eric Roy as the club has never finished above eighth in the league.

But the Ligue 1 underdogs are currently in second place and on course to qualify for the Champions League. But their stadium will be unsuitable to host any match.

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While Brest is in the midst of a historic period, the club is aware that Francis-Le Ble has work to do before he can organize matches in the Champions League.

The 102-year-old stadium in the western tip of France seats 15,931 spectators.

This is less than Brentford’s Community Stadium, which seats 17,00, but is still larger than Bournemouth and Luton’s grounds.

But according to Le Telegramme, UEFA regulations have four categories of stadiums, and can only host category 4 Champions League matches.

Currently, Francis-Le Ble falls into category 2, which means that matches can only take place in the first and second qualifying rounds for the Champions League or matches in the Europa Conference League.

This means for Brest that they will have to find a temporary host for when they play in the Champions League.

Brest are one of the biggest surprises this season after rising from mid-table to now potentially competing with Europe’s elites.

Before Saturday’s match against Strasbourg, Brest was in second place in Ligue 1.

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After a record performance, Roy’s side have shown they are strong contenders for an automatic Champions League qualification spot.

Brest eventually defeated Strasbourg 3-0 to retain second place in the table and 43 points in Ligue 1 after 23 games played with only Paris Saint-Germain ahead of them.

Brest have equaled the unbeaten record in Ligue 1 – a record that has stood since 1990.

Last season the club fought in the bottom half of the table and fortunately managed to avoid relegation after finishing fourteenth.