London (AFP)

The Six Nations rugby tournament has reached an agreement to sell 15% of its trading rights to the investment fund CVC Capital Partners, former owner of the Formula 1, according to the British newspaper The Times on Tuesday, which talks about a transaction of 300 million pounds (about 340 million euros).

The body did not confirm the information, claiming only "to have entered into exclusive negotiations with an external investment partner", but world rugby boss Brett Gosper warned on Tuesday that he would ensure that bursting of a private actor does not harm the "well-being of the players".

"The Six Nations believe that investing in rugby is vital to the future of our sport and that the decision to enter this phase of negotiations is essential," said the Six Nations Tournament in a statement.

If the operation is confirmed, the CVC fund, one of the largest in the world, would hold shares not only in the rights of the Six Nations Tournament but also those of the southern team tours in the Northern Hemisphere. autumn and northern ones in the southern hemisphere in the summer.

The entry into the capital of CVC could sign the end of the broadcast of the Tournament on public channels in some of the six countries, while some rumors circulating on an interest of the Amazon group.

The finalization of the agreement is expected after the final of the World Cup on November 2nd.

- The Top 14 would remain independent -

CVC, which held the majority of the shares of the Formula 1 championship from 2006 to 2016, has already acquired in December 27% of the shares of the first English division of rugby, estimated at 200 million pounds (225 million euros) and had made in March an offer for 30% shares of the Six Nations Tournament, according to the BBC.

World Rugby president, the world's top rugby body, Brett Gosper, Tuesday expressed concerns that "some decisions may be made that are not in the interest of the growth or welfare of players. "

"We want to be sure that this is done for good reasons, and many of our most important members have welcomed these additional funds and therefore we can only see it positively ... (...) Let's remain optimistic," he said. he added during a press conference in Tokyo, three days before the opening of the Mondial-2019 in Japan.

The Six Nations Committee, consisting of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and France, has been in discussion for almost two years about the pooling of its commercial interests.

The Times says that CVC is also close to finalizing a deal with The Pro14, offering 115 million pounds (130 million euros) to hold 27% of the championship that brings together teams from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and South Africa. If agreed, the French Top 14 would become the only major competition for independent European rugby CVC.

© 2019 AFP