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.
Denne historien er fra July 19, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra July 19, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
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Dramatic late win boosts leaders
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England need to be more consistent
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Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
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Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
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Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
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Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
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Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
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