European Club Rugby (ERC) president Jean-Pierre Lux has accused English and French clubs of using “guerilla” tactics in the ongoing row over the format of the European Cup.
Lux said the English and French teams were not showing any willingness to compromise in their demands, but he rejected the idea that they could form a breakaway competition next season.
Sport24
Clubs from the English Premiership and French Top 14 have said they will pull out of the European Cup next season and set up their own competition, in which they will invite other teams to take part, if they don’t get their way over the current impasse.
They want a reduction in the total number of clubs taking part in the European Cup from 24 to 20, as well as a significant cull in the number of Celtic League teams gaining automatic entry, from 10 to six.
But Lux says they’re being unfair in their demands.
“There were meetings up to the beginning of June. Since then everyone has been waiting for someone else to make the first move to kick-start the negotiations,” Lux said.
“We received letters from the English and French leagues a few weeks ago that had a decidedly guerilla spirit to them.
“When I hear the English and French leagues denouncing Celtic intransigence, we could also reply that those two leagues don’t want to change their positions.
“We need to find a compromise to advance.”
Even so, Lux says there’s no chance a rival competition could be organised next year, despite Anglo-French threats.
“It’s not possible. I went to a meeting last week where the chief executive of the English (Rugby) Federation Ian Ritchie and the president Bill Beaumont clearly said they had told their clubs there would be no new society.
“Pierre Camou (president of the French Rugby Federation) has clearly indicated in France for some time that there will never be a Franco-English competition, he’s against it.
“All the federations hope that ERC continues to run the (European) competitions.”
Lux says that the Anglo-French proposals would have a detrimental effect on the game in Europe.
“Going from 24 to 20 clubs in the European Cup means the Scottish and Italian teams would lose out,” he said.
“I’ve been told it would improve the level of the Challenge Cup (as that would move from 20 to 24 teams) but I remain sceptical because we’re asking for those four teams to come solely from the Celtic League.
“I would prefer all the leagues to make an effort.”
Current rules mean that 10 out of the 12 Celtic League teams are guaranteed entry into the European Cup, including both Scottish and both Italian teams, while depending on who wins the two European competitions, all 12 could qualify.
The English and French leagues are only guaranteed six each.
This season saw 11 out of the 12 Celtic teams qualify, with only Newport Gwent Dragons from Wales missing out.
This season’s Challenge Cup contains seven French teams, six English, four from the Italian top flight, one Portuguese, one Romanian and just one from the Celtic League, the Dragons.
The English and French teams tend to play their reserve sides against the other European teams and still canter to high-scoring victories.
What they want is to see six teams from each of the English, French and Celtic leagues qualifying for the European Cup by their league position, with the final two teams coming from the countries whose sides win the European Cup and Challenge Cup.
They feel that the current format favours Celtic League teams who know they can rest their best players in league matches ahead of European Cup games as they are not risking their participation in the competition the next season, whereas in England and France every game is a battle to ensure a high enough league finish.
and some people expect these guys to be buddy buddy with us?
hahaha
This may be a bit long winded and at times not make complete sense due to translation, this is an internet translation of a letter the ERC boss wrote to Midi-Olympique (a French newspaper), think it was yesterday :
“Dear Editor,
As Independent Chairman of the Director of the ERC, I am writing to correct a number of inaccuracies published in the Friday edition (September 13) of Midi Olympique. More information in the interview the President of the National Rugby League, Paul Goze and in an article entitled “H war” by Marc Duzan are all just wrong and I can not accept the state.
The future
While it appears that the English and French clubs lead a well-orchestrated suggesting that European tournaments are finished, their proposal for an Anglo-French competition is not possible because all the federations are opposed campaign. Over the past 18 seasons, the competition of European club rugby have continued to grow and generated a staggering 500 million euros for professional sports with the only distribution of central revenue. Tournaments played a crucial role in bringing the clubs on the international stage and help to raise the level in all participating countries. These tournaments are popular with players, coaches, broadcasters, and especially the fans. I think it is now time to stop the exchange of press releases and dramatic ultimatums, and start real negotiations to consolidate European rugby competitions.
Next stakeholder meeting of the ERC
As it is stated in the press release following the meeting of the Steering Committee of the ERC in Dublin September 11, 2013, the proposition that the ERC, as a signatory of the current agreement, organizes next stakeholder meeting was accepted without objection. I note that Mr. Goze said that the Top 14 clubs are still willing to participate in ERC tournaments if the result of the negotiation process is favorable. The ERC will therefore organize the next meeting and the appointment of a mediator will probably be acceptable to all parties and help this meeting.
Commercial performance
Revenues for the ERC increased 106% since 2005/2006 and are expected to exceed 52 million for the 2013/2014 season. No other tournament has reached such a level of growth. The latest agreement with the ERC TV channel Sky Sports reflects a significant increase similar to the increase obtained with our main partners, Heineken and Amlin. Suggest as Mr. Duzan in articles that other options have not been discussed is simply untrue. All commercial ERC decisions are taken at the initiative of the Committee on Trade and approved by the Steering Committee (two entities where members of the NRL Premiership Rugby and are seated) and I remember that the chair of the business committee Mr. Bouscatel who never found fault with the decisions (except now a posteriori).
Income distribution and the ERC
Both articles contain a number of inaccuracies regarding the income and its distribution. Last season, the contribution of the ERC Federations and clubs was 44.3 million – a figure that has doubled since 2005/2006. 85% of the amount distributed is shared between six European countries. The remaining 15% is distributed to countries so meritocracy based on the results of their clubs in tournaments. Last season, the NRL has received 12.2 million euros, Premiership Rugby clubs 10.8 million euros, Ireland € 6.6 million, Wales 5 million, Scotland 5 million and Italy 4.6 million Euros. In other words, for the season 2012/2013, the French and English clubs have received 52% of the income distribution and the distribution seems related to the number of teams playing in the Heineken Cup (13 English and French on this 24 year ).
Income can they be distributed differently? Yes of course. During the final negotiations for the agreement being, participation and income distribution has changed with the agreement of all parties. This represented an increase for Italy. Participation and income distribution can be changed again but only with the agreement of all six countries and I can assure you that all the other countries are willing to discuss it.
Where the income come from?
The article by Mr. Duzan and comments of Mr. Goze contain ridiculous suggestions hinting that England and France are the only significant sources of income for the ERC. The success of our tournament was built on a fusion of cultures, styles and passion of supporters from the six countries.
Our television contracts include significant additional financial contributions from Sky Sports has added the Republic of Ireland to the original agreement covering the United Kingdom, and there are also major contracts with Sky Italia (Italy), TG4 ( Ireland), S4C (Wales) which must be added TV international agreements outside of Europe, which are now major contributors.
In terms of sponsorship, suggest that Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales are not important markets is once again ridiculous. These are important markets and especially our main sponsor Heineken. Just look at the number of spectators in the semi-finals and finals in the past six years to get an idea of the commercial contribution of only Irish supporters. The European Cup is now recognized as the most competitive club tournament in the world, and anyone imagine an Anglo-French competition would also be commercially attractive is naive at best. ”
Sports friendships
Jean-Pierre Lux
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