There are a lot of adjectives you could use to describe the new Wembley Stadium (other than ‘expensive’) , and the designs for Liverpool’s new Stanley Park development prove that new stadiums don’t have to be the identikit bore-fests you see at Reading, Derby County, Swansea and the like.

But would you call either of these grounds sexy? Erotic, even?

Well, maybe you’re just not French enough. Because the plans for the redevelopment of Stade Français‘ Jean Bouin stadium have been released, and this 20,000 seater will, promises it’s architect, Rudi Riccioti, be “dressed in a lace of concrete - making it sexy and erotic”.

Judging by the photos of the existing stadium, he’s going to need a lot of that lace.

However, this being France, nothing is that straightforward - the snappily named ‘ Jean Bouin Collective for the defence of the Omnisport Stadium and its Environment’ are having none of this tarting up, arguing, amongst other things, that the redevelopment would result in the loss of some valuable 1920’s architecture, and the los of some 100 year old trees (The Stadium’s a stone’s-throw from the Bois de Boulogne). Development is due to start in 2009, which gives everyone plenty of time for a good old Gallic argument debate!

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