Dubious role of the Supervisory Board at Feijenoord Stadium? ”Also involved with project developer”

The deal between Stadion Feijenoord NV and the Municipality of Rotterdam continues to concern people. The management of Feyenoord is not satisfied with the working methods of stadium director Lilian de Leeuw and the Supervisory Board of De Kuip. Journalist Dennis van Eersel spoke to various stakeholders within the Rotterdam club and it became clear that the club is furious.

“Last week it was reported that in exchange for no more concerts there will be a municipal contribution,” Van Eersel explains the situation to RTV Rijnmond. ”This week there was a meeting where more clarity was provided about the political plans and the amount involved. Feyenoord is very displeased, as Dennis te Kloese also put it after the celebration of the cup final.”

During the meeting the difficult relationship between Stadion Feijenoord NV and the management of Feyenoord was literally visible. ”The representatives of Feyenoord were present. Financial director Pieter Smorenburg and spokesperson Raymond Salomon were present. Lilian de Leeuw was also present at the town hall. They couldn’t be further apart, for me that was telling about what the relationships are at the moment.”

”Feyenoord is really upset that it was not taken by De Kuip. There has been no discussion with the Municipality. We have spoken to numerous political parties. Feyenoord is a significant partner in the plan that is still called Feyenoord City 2.0. Feyenoord’s name is still there, they don’t want that anymore. There has never been any discussion with Feyenoord, but there is real anger in this.”

De Leeuw is not available to the media and refrains from making any comments. ”I also tried to get a response there, but in the end it didn’t come. Previously, when it played around the concerts. Then there was talk about why it is a good deal for De Kuip itself. I understand that too. They owe a debt to Goldman Sachs. That fifteen million is now topped up with twelve from the municipality.”

”Feyenoord has previously donated something to development costs. That debt is then gone. At first glance it seems very good for the stadium. In the long term, as was also evident from questions from Rotterdam politicians, we will just have to wait and see how good that deal is. Without concerts in the future you won’t have that kind of income. There is also no payback model for any renovation.”

Question marks about the role of the Supervisory Board of Feijenoord Stadium
Feyenoord’s anger is also justified. Both parties have had weekly consultations in recent months, but never a word was said about the upcoming deal with the Municipality. In addition, the Rotterdam club also responded with surprise last Wednesday to who the project developer involved in building the houses around De Kuip is.

That is the company Dura Vermeer, it writes RTV Rijnmond. ”The financial director of that company, Lowick Barg, is also a member of the Supervisory Board of Stadion Feijenoord. And Roel Vollebregt, the director of Nieuw Stadion NV, is associated with Dura Vermeer as a member of the Supervisory Board.” Despite all the commotion, Feyenoord still aims to buy De Kuip.