IRFU TO PAY OUT €500K TO CLUBS
TOURNAMENT organisers have postponed this season’s European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals and finals while, last night, the IRFU said they would make €500,000 available to clubs in light of the Covid-19 crisis.
Following a review of its financial position, the Union has agreed to the funding and Domestic Game Director, Colin McEntee, will be advising clubs how the fund is to be applied as soon as is practicable.
The IRFU has confirmed the funding directly to clubs in a communication that provided them with additional guidance and advice in relation to the ongoing operation of their clubs during this unprecedented crisis.
Meanwhile, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) says it ‘remains committed’ to completing both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup despite the latest postponements.
The quarter-finals next month had already been postponed, but now the semis from May 1-3 and finals in Marseille on May 22-23 have followed suit.
In a statement, EPCR said: ‘In making the decision, the board is abiding by the official directives and recommendations of the relevant authorities in its territories to restrict the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘In light of the earlier postponement of its quarter-final matches and with fixtures in Europe’s professional league competitions currently suspended due to the public health crisis, EPCR believes it necessary to provide as much clarity as possible to all stakeholders regarding the knockout stages of its tournaments.
‘To that end, EPCR is working with the leagues and unions to restructure a conclusion to its season as part of a wider rescheduling of the remainder of the season in Europe, with all contingencies underpinned by the requirement to protect the health and welfare of players, club staff, match officials, supporters and the wider rugby community.
‘EPCR remains committed to completing the 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup season, and it is planned to reschedule the quarter-final and semi-final matches, as well as the Marseille finals, in line with fixtures in the professional league competitions, subject to advice from government and local authorities.
‘EPCR would like to thank Olympique de Marseille, the staff at the Orange Velodrome and all local and regional partners for their continuing collaboration.
‘An update regarding the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will be communicated as soon as practicable.’
Champions Cup holders Saracens are among the clubs still in contention for that trophy this season, but face a tough quarter-final against Leinster in Dublin.
English Premiership rivals Exeter and Northampton are due to meet at Sandy Park, with the last eight completed by Toulouse hosting Ulster and Clermont Auvergne entertaining Racing 92.
The Challenge Cup sees Toulon tackling Scarlets, Bristol meeting the Dragons, Leicester taking on Castres and Bordeaux-Begles
meeting Edinburgh.
In England, Northampton have become the latest club to announce 25 per cent pay cuts for players and staff.
They follow the likes of Harlequins, Wasps, Gloucester and Leicester, with the Premiership currently suspended until April 24 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Northampton chief executive Mark Darbon said: ‘The coronavirus pandemic has come midway through a comprehensive five-year plan for the club.
‘We have been making good progress, both on and off the pitch, but the outbreak is now creating significant stress on our business model, as it is for other clubs in our league and, indeed, for sports and entertainment businesses more broadly. In short, we are faced with a significant slowdown in our income.
‘While the clear intention of the league and the clubs remains to get back to playing rugby as soon as possible, if we were to lose our remaining home games and the other major events we are due to stage at Franklin’s Gardens it would have a severe financial impact, despite our relatively strong balance sheet.
‘While we are extremely confident we can weather this storm, on the basis of these unique circumstances the club’s board are unanimous that we have to make timely and difficult decisions in order to protect Northampton Saints for the foreseeable future.
‘Alongside a number of other financial management measures, the board have therefore taken the decision to reduce salaries for all of the club’s players and staff by 25 per cent, effective from April 1.
‘Clearly, this is not a decision that was taken lightly, but it was a necessary adjustment to make to reduce our cost base with immediate effect.
‘I consulted with our director of rugby Chris Boyd, our club captain and RPA (Rugby Players’ Association) representative Alex Waller, and several senior members of the playing squad on Friday afternoon before communicating this decision to the rest of the club’s staff.
‘I could not be prouder of how the playing group, support staff and commercial team reacted to the news.
‘We have a wonderful environment at Saints, and I am incredibly grateful for the superb work our staff are continuing to produce through these challenging times.’
Leicester confirmed on Saturday they would join Gloucester, Saracens, Wasps and Worcester in asking players to take a 25 per cent pay cut, with Harlequins following suit on Monday.