It seems like the players were left in the dark.
This is about to get very messy.
This morning, a controversial announcement was made which has shaken the rugby world.
Paris-based Top 14 clubs, Racing 92 and Stade Francais are to merge into one ‘superclub’ ahead of next season.
This is unexpected https://t.co/oSKIBjL6q2
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 13, 2017
It’s remarkable to think that these two clubs, who are rivals, and who have such distinct history behind them, will be no more.
Let’s put it this way, it would be like Munster and Leinster joining together and becoming ‘Lunster’.
Yeah, we can’t imagine it would go down well with the club’s respective supporters, either.
And how do the players feel?
Not only do they not know whether they will be in a job or not next season but they clearly will feel great pain that the clubs which they proudly represent will no longer exist.
Stade Francais lock, Paul Gabrillagues, took to Facebook to reveal his bitter disappointment at today’s news.
“It’s not a merger, it’s the takeover of the stade français by the racing… so the death of our club, the club of Paris. I pitch to this masquerade. Show yourselves and show that we are many to love this club,” via Google Translate.
French rugby journalist, Gavin Mortimer, has also revealed some further startling revelations, including that the players had no idea of these plans until a meeting this morning.
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/841277086509740033
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/841277247919149057
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/841277591105474560
Reports in France are also suggesting that this has been in the pipeline for 10 months.
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/841277875760304128
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/841277941992558592
Motivation for playing could be an issue right now too.
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/841278101288026112
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/841278197408894976
French sports publication, L’Equipe, is also reporting that the players may go on strike ahead of their upcoming clash against Castres.
https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/841279806717214720
