Racing 92 & Stade Francais to merge

[Ze Stade Fan]

My advice to Ze Stade Fan and all his fellow fans is stay true to what you believe.

If what happens means setting up a new Stade Francais which has to start from the bottom then so be it - if the fans are resolute and look to support such a project.

If they want inspiration then they only have to look at AFC Wimbledon in the English Football League. They didn't like their club being treated as a franchise and moved to Milton Keynes (why would anyone want to move to Milton Keynes!?!? ).

So they set up a local replacement for "their" club and started at the bottom - and now they are thriving in EFL League 1. AND they beat the evil MK Dons 2-0 last night, by way of coincidence

We are looking right now at this possibilty aamong other. The fight goes on! Till the end, comrades, till the bitter end!!!

[Iain]

It would be good if we could show solidarity with this in some way. If this is still rumbling on for the Newcastle game perhaps anyone who owns a Stade shirt (yes I know) should wear it?

[Mersey Tiger]

I am pleased to hear Ze Stade Fan's response

However, I should have made the point that the same applies to Racing and their fans as well as Stade and their fans, although I appreciate that comments have been made that "Racing are taking over Stade" rather than it being a "true" merger.

Maybe if a new Stade AND a new Racing were set up, both starting from the bottom, then the egotistical elites who run French Rugby clubs would have to sit up and listen. Having both new clubs operating at the same level would hopefully continue the local rivalry and - very importantly - generate interest and publicity and attract the crowds. (And in the lower leagues the team would not cost so much and therefore the cost of watching the games would not be so much, and so more people might attend).

What it is vitally important for all the powers-that-be to remember - in whichever sport - is that "The Clubs Are The Fans". The fans support the teams throughout their lives whilst Chairmen, managers and players come and go. A fan's support for his/ her team often borders on being a religion, which was implanted by his/ her parents, and may ebb and flow but never dies.

But if the fans don't turn up then the clubs will die. If the fan base is not there, or if it is not strong to begin with, then it is very, very hard to build on and develop, particularly given the competing alternatives for people's entertainment. Why would anyone go to watch a match on a cold Winter's day if they weren't a real fan? You only have to look at how hard Saracens have found it to grow their fan base even though they have arguably been the best team in England for some time.

There Remi please do not underestimate the potential of Fan Power! In these days of Social Media finding a collective voice is easier than ever (although I am a dinosaur who is NOT on Facebook OR Twitter).

Good luck and Allez Stade!!!!

[Robespierre]

Stade Français cancelled their regular Thursday training session and from what I understand won't fulfil their fixture at Castres on Saturday, their players having voted for an indefinite strike.

The LNR - ligue nationale de rugby, have convened a meeting tomorrow to discuss the problem and will also consider the likely fixture congestion that will arise, as there are still 6 Top 14 matches to be played.

Opposition to this merger (which is more of a take-over by Racing) is widespread and may not now go through, and if Stade Français's survival means starting anew in a lower division, then so be it, as long as the name of Stade Français lives on!

[strawclearer]

Gavin Mortimer: According to @lequipe there's a rumour in Racing that "a list of transferable players [from the 2 clubs] has been sent to all T14 clubs"

[Robespierre]

The meeting of the LNR took place but strangely, no decision was reached regarding this proposed "fusion". They are meeting again on Monday.
There are no explanations, yet, for not arriving at a decision, but surely a decision will have to be made on Monday as this situation must not be allowed to drag on, and it's now possible that both SF's and Racing's matches this weekend will be postponed.

[Robespierre]

Good news!

Racing President Jacky Lorenzetti has said that he's not proceeding with this so called "fusion"!
Let's hope that SF will be able to resolve their financial problems as that is surely what probably led their President to enter into negotiations with Racing.

[KUSADASI TIGER]

Confirmed on the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39321038

[Ze Stade Fan]

Yipee, the fusion is called off...

On a totally unrelated note, has anyone on this form got €50 millions ? It is for a friend...

[TomWeston]

Yipee, the fusion is called off...

On a totally unrelated note, has anyone on this form got €50 millions ? It is for a friend...

Is it a down-payment on the Tour Eiffel or the Pont Neuf or that funny column made from melted down cannon?

[Robespierre]

Stade Français play Racing this afternoon in the Top14.
Wouldn't it be great if Stade were to give them a hammering and put Lorenzetti in his place?!!

[Robespierre]

So SF "hammered" Racing 27-23 and are now level on points with Racing with one match to play, SF have a tough one away to Montpellier and Racing an easier match at home to Bordeaux, so sadly, Racing will probably make the play-offs at the expense of SF.
But at least the rumours of the merger have been well and truly squashed.

[drc_007]

Sounds "entertaining"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... clash.html

[Robespierre]

Reminds me of Julian White decking Andrew Sheridan!!

[Loob19]

Could this be the reason why some top players are choosing to leave this league - parading a clown on your shoulders does send a great message.