PARIS - The future of the Heineken Cup looks decidedly shaky after French clubs decided to boycott next year's competition citing the conflict in England between the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership clubs.
In a released statement, the Ligue Nationale (LNR) said that the internal squabbling had contributed to uncertainty over European competitions and therefore the French clubs would boycott the tournament.
"Due to the gravity and urgency of the situation, the LNR has consulted with all the presidents of the Top 14 clubs," the statement said. "They have all unanimously indicated the conditions do not exist for the LNR to sign the new agreement governing the European Cup (due to take effect in 2009) and, because of this, French clubs will not be participating in next season's tournament."
The Heineken Cup is Europe's top competition and the withdrawal of leading French clubs is bound to have serious repercussions both for spectators as well as for the managing associations because of lost revenue. The boycott means that Toulouse, Stade Francais, and Biarritz; all crowd pullers in their own right, will be absent from next year's fixtures.
Sergo Blanco, LNR president, told French daily L'Equipe that the main reason behind the strike was that the RFU cancelled a prior agreement to give clubs in each union a set share of the tournament as well as the organization. "If the RFU, who initially were in agreement, like the FFR, agreed to give over 50 per cent of its share to the clubs, we would talk. But it has refused," Blanco pointed out.
Another reason for this unilateral action might be the 2007 World Cup, which is sure to play havoc with domestic scheduling in France. The World Cup takes place in September-October; effectively delaying the start of the domestic season. Top 14 says that in the tight scheduling there is no room for the Heineken Cup.
"A good organization should make as its priority its league rugby, their championships," Blanco added. "But at the moment, the pyramid is inversed."
