Millar ups the stakes in boycott row

RUGBY:The rift between the warring factions which has led to a boycott of next season's Heineken European Cup by the French and English clubs appeared to worsen yesterday. Despite a flurry of meetings and negotiations this week, the IRB chairman, Syd Millar, has launched an extraordinary broadside at the chief agent provocateur in the row, Ligue Nationale de Rugby president Serge Blanco.

Describing it as "absolutely disgraceful and selfish to destroy a tournament which has developed into a hugely successful and special annual rugby event that is vital to the well-being of European Rugby", Millar's official IRB-released statement questioned whether Blanco's actions were, indeed, motivated by fixture congestion.

"He (Blanco) talks now for support for the English Premiership clubs, he talks of respect. What respect has he shown for those who have worked hard to develop this tournament into the excellent event that it has become? What respect is he showing for other European rugby nations who will suffer financial hardship with a direct consequence to player employment?

"What respect is there for the players who enjoy and want to play in the tournament?" continues Millar's statement.

"What respect is there for the supporters who have enjoyed the event and travelled in their tens of thousands throughout Europe in support of their teams therefore producing a great festival of rugby? What respect is he showing for the sponsors and media who have made their contribution to the tournament? None."

Asking why Blanco is interfering in the affairs of another union, Millar adds: "I have always had a great respect for Serge Blanco as a player and a person but in this instance I can only assume that he is being very badly advised or he is being naive and has allowed himself to be used by certain people in England not just to destabilise ERC but to support a challenge to the way club rugby is governed through national unions and the International Rugby Board."

Recalling how the English clubs "sought to destroy the ERC" with their boycott in 1998/99, Millar states: "The Premiership clubs in the main are owned by entrepreneurs who are not used to and do not like deferring to governing bodies such as the RFU. They do not want to have a governing body which controls the game for the good of all and not just for a handful of elite professional clubs.

"The most significant and illuminating statement as to the clubs' true intent came in a Sunday newspaper where Mr Barwell of the Northampton club was quoted as saying: 'We'll run our own business and the RFU can mind their own business.'

"What does he mean? Indeed it is difficult to get from the clubs what they want as their objectives seem to change regularly.

"Strong clubs are an essential part of a healthy game. However, it is essential that a good relationship exists between union and clubs. It is not too late for the Premiership clubs to reverse their decision and have the courage to do so and to show the rugby world at large that they are prepared to work within a system where their voice is heard and has been listened to.

"The IRB is attempting to facilitate a solution and in this instance we still have time to get around the table to find a workable solution. To that effect the IRB will convene a meeting later this week with senior representatives from the European unions involved in the ERC to determine precisely what needs to be done to ensure the future of the tournament."

Millar's conclusion sounds almost like a declaration of war.

"The Rugby unions of the world will not allow 26 clubs to dictate the course of world rugby and the present situation has brought those unions even closer and more determined to preserve the game for the good of all. Rugby has progressed enormously over the past few years and will continue to grow under the guidance of the unions and IRB who cater for the needs of all the game's stakeholders.

"The IRB has obligations to all of its stakeholders and envisages meetings with other senior unions around the world to allay their fears on the direction professional rugby is taking in Europe due to the actions of the English and French clubs."

A meeting of the chairmen and CEOs from each of the six nations has been called by Jacques Laurans, the chairman of the Six Nations, to be held in either Dublin or London this Friday.

This is expected to follow scheduled meetings of the ERC shareholders and the ERC board in Dublin tomorrow, with the RFU chairman, Martyn Thomas, having intimated he will continue to sound out English first division clubs about entering the European Cup.

Whether Blanco attends the first of these - his appearances have been irregular - will be an indicator as to whether he is seriously interested in achieving any kind of resolution to the current impasse. And whether Millar's statement can contribute toward a swift solution is also debatable.