- The Top 14 championship is scheduled to resume on Friday.
- The clubs are very weakened by the coronavirus crisis, which led to the premature end of last season, and the establishment of a gauge of 5,000 spectators.
Normally, the Top 14 resumes Friday after six months of forced stoppage, with the matches Stade Français - Bordeaux-Bègles and Montpellier-Pau. However, nothing is normal since the appearance of the coronavirus, which put a premature end to the past season, and promises to complicate the year ahead.
The imposition of a 5,000-seat gauge has put a new blow on the economy of professional clubs, "more than 60% of income is linked to the presence of the public, whether the general public or partners », Affirms Emmanuel Eschalier, director general of the LNR. Yet the recovery is "vital for the survival of professional rugby", as indicated by Paul Goze, president of the National Rugby League (LNR). Accompanied by four representatives of the Top 14 clubs, the two officials will be received this Tuesday by the director of the Prime Minister's office to present their grievances live.
# TOP14 D1 - D2
Following the establishment of the new health protocol for the resumption of competitions, here is the new programming for the 1st and 2nd day 📺🗓️
This standard programming is temporary and will be in place for the duration of this protocol pic.twitter .com / KQXRp9LX6C
"The support provided by the public authorities in the spring was decisive for the clubs to be able to absorb the shock of the end of the championships," continues the DG of the LNR. We sent a new file to the government two weeks ago and we are asking for an emergency measure consisting of an extension of the exemption from social charges, from June to November. This measure is linked to the partial tonnage applied over two months. "
Lots of unknowns
For now, the famous 5,000 spectator bar, with possible exemptions in the green zone (in Clermont for example, but not in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon or Toulouse) is in effect until October 30.
"We are talking about a shortfall of 30 million euros over a period of two months for all the clubs", explained Thursday Didier Lacroix, president of Stade Toulousain. And after ? "Our demands vis-à-vis the public authorities will change depending on the situation," says Emmanuel Eschalier.
November is far away. Already the holding of the inaugural match of the Stade Français - UBB, Friday, is not assured. The LNR is giving itself until Wednesday to rule, while the Parisian club has experienced more than the others a preparation under the sign of Covid-19, with at least 17 cases identified and the two preseason games canceled.
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- LNR
- Top 14
- Covid 19
- Prime Minister
- Rugby
- Coronavirus