Toulouse (AFP)

Stade Toulousain, whose financial balance is largely based on local partnerships and match revenues, is a little more in danger with each new closed session, and is actively campaigning for a return of spectators from December 15.

If the Minister of Sports Roxana Maracineanu made the trip to Toulouse on Thursday, and first to the Ernest-Wallon stadium, to discuss public aid for professional sport hit hard by the health crisis, it is no coincidence .

Because the financial difficulties of the most successful rugby club in France --20 Shields of Brennus, 4 European Cups -, and major supplier of the XV of France --Ntamack, Dupont, Marchand, etc - worried until to the government.

From a Top 14 juggernaut - a budget of at least 30 million euros - to a colossus with feet of clay, the coronavirus pandemic has hurt Stade Toulousain, because its payroll represents more than half (57%) of its budget and that its economic model is based "at 75% on its public and its partners", according to President Didier Lacroix.

However, since the start of the season, the last French champion (2019) has only been able to receive twice with a gauge of 5,000 spectators - La Rochelle, then Ulster in the European Cup - before having to go to 1.000 --Toulon and Lyon-- then in camera --Castres and Agen--.

- One million lost per game -

Only television revenues (20% of turnover) did not suffer.

But the ticket office and refreshment booth (15%), boutique (10%), brasserie (3%), rentals and receptions (2%) have been reduced to nothing, while the greatest fears surround that of partnerships (47%) in a context of economic crisis which particularly affects Airbus and Peugeot, two major partners.

Each closed-door game "represents roughly 1.7 million" euros in losses, "when you take the tally of the annual partnership share that is already sold, the subscription share and the revenue that we would have made. that day ", explains Lacroix.

In detail, still according to the club, it is 1.3 million tickets, hospitality and refreshment revenues, plus 400,000 euros in partnerships and sponsorship that go up in smoke with each match.

During the offseason, the management and the workforce had agreed on a reduction of 15% maximum of the salaries of the players, but this compromise was conditioned by "a normal resumption of competitions in September".

To cope with the second wave, Ms. Maracineanu has confirmed a compensation fund for ticketing losses of 110 million all sports combined - aid capped at € 5 million per club - and "exemption from employer and employee contributions" for the last quarter of 2020, which will allow according to her "to reduce the cost of the club payroll by about 40%".

- Three capital matches -

But what Didier Lacroix insisted on him was to quickly loosen the sanitary vice.

Three gala matches at home are in fact looming for Ugo Mola's team around the end of year celebrations: the receptions of European champion Exeter (December 20), Bordeaux-Bègles (December 27), poster usually relocated to the Stadium, and the Stade Français (January 9) to start 2021.

"Restart a European Cup without an audience to play the European champion, play Bordeaux during Boxing Day while the last four editions, we have filled the Stadium (33,000 places), it is a saving (loss, Editor's note) which weighs very heavily ", underlines Lacroix who hopes to be able to fill" one in two seats, one in three seats as quickly as possible ".

The Toulouse leader does not understand that theaters, museums and cinemas can reopen on December 15 while the outdoor stadiums have still not received the green light.

Message heard by Roxana Maracineanu who promised to "bring the message" to the Elysée and Matignon, where the future of Stade Toulousain is also being played out.

© 2020 AFP