Clubs still fuming after rescheduling farce causes chaos

The Clermont president, Eric de Cromieres, last night hit out at the postponement of his side’s match with Saracens on Sunday and subsequent rescheduling for 5.30pm yesterday, describing it as “an episode of amateurism”.

As all parties affected by the decision to postpone the match because of Sunday’s snow expressed concern, De Cromiers added that his club’s supporters had been treated like “vulgar toys”.

His counterpart, Saracens’ chairman Nigel Wray, called the initial decision to play the game behind closed doors “outrageous”, revealing that the loss of a sell-out 10,000 crowd at Allianz Park had cost the club £300,000. Wray also acknowledged that the image of the club-run tournament has suffered as a result of the “contradiction”, as Clermont saw it, of moving from the initial proposed kick-off of 2pm yesterday (as advocated by the competition organiser, European Professional Club Rugby) to later.

“I understand why they [Clermont] are p----d off because we are p----d off as well,” said Wray. “To not be involved in the decision [taken late on Sunday night] to play behind closed doors [which was then changed yesterday morning] is outrageous. It was supposed to be a unilateral statement but it was not what had been discussed. It has been chaotic.

“Of course, we are all unhappy about the image. But it has been annoying for everyone. We weren’t able to say anything [to Clermont] because EPCR asked us not to. We had no choice about the postponement. It’s important to stress that it was the health and safety officer who made the decision. He is independent. Our players could not get out of their drives.”

Wray had not yet considered the possibility of offering refunds and had still to meet with Clermont officials. Clermont were suitably enraged, not so much by the postponement but especially by the change of kick-off time. Their players had already started on a nutrition programme to prepare for a 2pm rearrangement.

“The club is very annoyed by this completely absurd situation with multiple twists and turns,” said a club statement. “For a few inches of snow, the organisation ran into ridicule and absurdity. This will remain an episode of amateurism. We were not consulted while discussions were going on between the EPCR and Saracens. The club have never been invited to the negotiating table and must now adapt to the incompetence of the public authorities and Saracens to organise this major sporting event.”

EPCR rejected the accusation of incompetence and favouritism. The decision to move from a 2pm kick-off was taken because ambulance and medical facilities were not able to be put into place.

“The reaction of Clermont, I am angry about,” said the EPCR director general, Vincent Gaillard. “The magnitude of what happened was grossly underestimated, it was very serious and the decision to postpone the match was the right decision. We could not take a risk [with the ambulance and medical provision]. I do regret the very bad experience the Clermont fans have had. Could communications have been better? Yes. But it has all been very disruptive.”