THE CLAIM AND counter claim between the ERC and its stakeholders in England and France continues today.
However, in the latest shot across the bows Jean-Pierre Lux, CEO of the ERC, has called on all parties to “cease public ultimatums”.
The response from Premiership Rugby and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby has certainly created cause for confusion, but today’s statement from Lux was made in direct response to comments made by Leicester Tigers chairman Peter Wheeler the LNR’s Rene Bouscatel.
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Wheeler expressed his “surprise” at the initial post-meeting update from the men in charge of the Heineken Cup and echoed Bouscatel in saying:
“No decision was made by the ERC board to reiterate that European club rugby competitions must necessarily be organised by ERC.
“‘Secondly, concerning the proposal of some of this board to organise a meeting of the stakeholders, it is the sole right of the individual parties (unions and league organisations) to take a view on any such proposal.’”
“Together we confirm that it was agreed at last Wednesday’s Board meeting in Dublin, that ERC, as a signatory to the current Accord, should be involved in all future negotiations aimed at the formulation of a new Accord for the 2014/15 season and beyond.
“To that end, the Board requested that ERC should convene the next, and future, meetings, and that it should consider the appointment of a mediator to move the negotiations forward towards a successful resolution. This process is now under way.
“The Board further agreed that bearing in mind the commitments the company has already entered into, no other structure other than ERC would be appropriate to organise European tournaments going forward.
“We believe it is now time for ERC’s shareholders to cease public ultimatums and to enter into genuine and decisive negotiations aimed at strengthening European club rugby.
“A date for the next Accord meeting will be announced shortly.”
Jean-Pierre Lux asks ERC stakeholders to 'cease public ultimatums'
THE CLAIM AND counter claim between the ERC and its stakeholders in England and France continues today.
However, in the latest shot across the bows Jean-Pierre Lux, CEO of the ERC, has called on all parties to “cease public ultimatums”.
The response from Premiership Rugby and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby has certainly created cause for confusion, but today’s statement from Lux was made in direct response to comments made by Leicester Tigers chairman Peter Wheeler the LNR’s Rene Bouscatel.
Wheeler expressed his “surprise” at the initial post-meeting update from the men in charge of the Heineken Cup and echoed Bouscatel in saying:
“No decision was made by the ERC board to reiterate that European club rugby competitions must necessarily be organised by ERC.
“‘Secondly, concerning the proposal of some of this board to organise a meeting of the stakeholders, it is the sole right of the individual parties (unions and league organisations) to take a view on any such proposal.’”
In response, Lux has reiterated his take on the minutes of Wednesday’s Westbury Hotel meeting, with the juicy bits left until the final two paragraphs.
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European Rugby Champions Cup ERC European Rugby impasse LNR Premiership Rugby