One hundred million dollars for the different Federations, a disrupted international calendar for 2020… World Rugby announced on Thursday its strategy to face the coronavirus pandemic which forced the cessation of all competitions and endangered the summer tours and fall. The governing body has thus released "a relief fund of 100 million dollars" (approximately 92 million euros) to come to the aid of Federations in difficulty in resuming competition.
“This relief fund will be available for Federations which need immediate emergency funding, provided that the appropriate criteria are met. It is designed to help the largest number of Federations, "said World Rugby in its press release.
World Rugby prepares its international aid plan dedicated to the # COVID19 crisis |
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Many countries are thus on the brink of an economic abyss in the face of the pandemic. Rugby Australia, which fears huge financial losses, estimated at around 70 million euros, has thus put three-quarters of its staff on partial unemployment.
The All Blacks have accepted a freeze of 50% of their income due to the cessation of competitions, thus freezing a sum of 25 million New Zealand dollars (14 million euros), corresponding to half of income (basic salaries, bonuses, profit-sharing, etc.) remaining to be collected by the players until the end of the year. Welsh and Scottish professional players also agreed to a cut in wages.
The American Rugby Federation declares bankruptcy via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/uyfYwdZESU
- 20 Minutes Sport (@ 20minutesSport) March 31, 2020In addition, World Rugby continues to discuss with the Six Nations (France, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy, England) and SANZAAR (Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa) in order to organize "the implementation establish a viable international competition calendar for 2020, subject to the advice of the government and the competent health authorities. ”
“This includes a probable short-term overhaul of the international rugby calendar, optimizing the competition possibilities for the Federations and the national leagues. As a precaution, planning other scenarios takes into account a competitive environment in which travel across the hemisphere may not be possible and, in the worst case scenario, in which no international rugby is possible this year. Says World Rugby.
A loan for the Federations if the tours of July and November are canceled?
This summer, the national teams of the countries of the northern hemisphere are thus supposed to go to the southern hemisphere, before reunion in Europe in November. In an interview with AFP, Bernard Laporte, president of the French Federation (FFR) and current candidate for the vice-presidency of World Rugby, had already mentioned a loan "to help the Federations if the tours of July and November were not played ”. “Some countries could prevent their nationals from going outside the country. No November tours, it would be a big loss, "he said.
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