The future of French professional rugby does not only lie on the pitch.
At the time when the Top 14 championship resumes its rights after the interruption in early March because of the health crisis, the economic situation of the oval is worried.
Earlier this week, the president of the National Rugby League (LNR), accompanied by the presidents of Toulouse, La Rochelle and Pau, had an appointment in Matignon with the Prime Minister to plead the cause.
Their request is simple and urgent.
The calculations were quickly made.
By October 30, the shortfall would amount according to the NRL to 35 million euros.
With a gauge blocked at 5,000 spectators, the revenue related to ticketing, which represents on average more than 60% of the clubs budget, is running low.
For example, La Rochelle and Stade Toulousain announce losses of 300,000 euros for each match played in front of 5,000 people.
For all these reasons, the resumption of the championship "is vital for the survival of professional rugby", summarized the president of the LNR, Paul Goze with the sense of the formula which characterizes him.
Before admitting that the pandemic and the regulations put in place will not give the same flavor to the show in Top 14 and in Pro D2: “It will be in a different way but we have to start again […] For professional rugby , there is no choice.
We need to play again quickly, from next weekend of course ”.
The announcement of the postponement of the Stade Français-UBB matches in Top 14 and Mont-de-Marsan-Béziers and Rouen-Carcassonne in Pro D2 show that from the first day of the championship, the virus is there and will complicate the life of rugby pro and the plans developed by the League.
Teams limited to 5,000 spectators in the red zone
Admittedly, the exemptions granted to Brive for the reception of Bayonne, and to La Rochelle to welcome Toulon in their respective enclosure with 9000 and 8000 spectators - Clermont obtained 10,000 supporters - constitute a positive signal.
But these Top 14 residents owe this boon to the health situation of their department where the circulation of the virus is less.
Conversely, the Ile-de-France teams, Stade Français and Racing 92 in the lead, cannot hope for such leniency when the region is classified as red.
The Jean-Bouin stadium and Paris-La Défense Arena are condemned for the moment to accommodate only the 5,000 authorized spectators, just like the Toulon enclosure or those of Lyon or Bordeaux, also located in an active traffic area of the virus.
"The term survival is not exaggerated," said the director general of the LNR, Emmanuel Eschalier.
Our economy is based on welcoming the public and it no longer holds up with a partial gauge.
French pro rugby needs to be helped.
"
“In La Rochelle, we are in the real economy.
We had a virtuous model, based on our supporters, which is now under attack, ”explains the president of the maritime club Vincent Merling, who counts“ in weeks ”the life expectancy of the clubs in the current situation.
"We are at the end of the savings that we could make," continues the manager.
Now we really need help.
Professional rugby is in great danger.
"
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After the sudden end of competitions with confinement last March, efforts have already been made: the wage cuts have been applied by 13 of the 14 elite clubs.
But the fixed charges remain without revenue to reimburse them.
The idea submitted to the Prime Minister's services on Tuesday would be an exemption from social charges between June and November 2020. The LNR recalls that pro rugby represents 4,000 jobs and an economic weight of 1.3 billion euros.
"He is an actor who counts in the territories" according to Emmanuel Eschalier.
According to several participants in this meeting, Matignon was very sensitive to the cry of alarm of French rugby.
