The Emirati buyout collapsed in a mire of acrimony and finger-pointing on Monday, after French rugby’s financial police, the DNACG, refused to give their blessing. What paperwork had been handed over was not enough to convince the watchdog that the deal on the table was on a sound footing.
The buyers blamed the DNACG. Beziers’ owners blamed the buyers. The long list of players and coaches reportedly heading to the south of France evaporated – some had even been in the town that weekend, ready to sign contracts and undergo medicals in expectation that the buy-out was about to be rubberstamped, according to reports.
Days later, the club faced the DNACG again, having lost their main sponsor – a local property dealer, frustrated and wearied by the whole thing – but this time the goal was more modest: survival.
Everyone had been talking about Beziers’ anticipated glorious future once the monied new owners took over. Many forgot that the club headed into negotiations in a parlous financial state – and that is what now exercised French rugby’s financial guardians.
If the club – sitting on a deficit of several million euros – failed to provide a workable budget for the new season, relegation to the amateur leagues was a very real option.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 19, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 19, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
