The French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced Wednesday, August 16 to block the licenses of Biarritz players following unpaid bills from the Basque club, which is to host Colomiers, Thursday evening, at the Aguilera stadium. This is the opening match of the 2023-2024 season of the 2nd division French rugby union championship (Pro D2).
Before any new season, “it is expected that all the clubs have settled their account (…). To date (Wednesday), the Biarritz Olympique Rugby association still remains indebted to the FFR,” said the body in a statement, which “hopes for an immediate solution” so that the first day of the championship takes place “normally”.
According to information from France Bleu Basque Country, the FFR is claiming an amount of 110,000 euros from the Biarritz Olympique Rugby Association. “Faced with the disputes between the association and the SASP (professional sports limited company), the FFR had, exceptionally, granted the issuance of licenses last season in exchange for the acceptance of a repayment schedule”, specifies the Federation.
“It will be done within the hour”
However, she adds, “this schedule was unfortunately not respected and no agreement was reached between SASP and the association, leaving the latter in a debit situation”. Therefore, the statement added, the federal office of the FFR took the decision not to issue licenses to Biarritz Olympique “until the debt is not fully settled”.
“We are waiting for the invoice from the association to solve this problem. If it arrives, it will be done within the hour. As far as our part is concerned, we have 35,000 euros in licenses for the season which has just ended. The rest, I don’t know what it is. I proposed to the FFR to pay the sum directly for the SASP, it does not want a direct flow, “explained to France Bleu the president of the Biarritz club Baptiste Aldigé. The president of the association “says to take note and explains to be in contact since, with the FFR and the services of the association, in order to find a quick solution”, quotes the media.
The Basque club, which recruited English center Jonathan Joseph, Welsh scrum-half Rhys Webb and right prop Mohamed Haouas, with big ambitions, finished last season in 11th place.
