REPORT: European clubs set to block plans for global season
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A global and structured season to suit everyone could be rejected as early as today according to a report by the Times.
According to the report by the Times, Europe’s clubs will oppose the plans for a global season.
The proposed global season would lead to a drastic alteration and shortening of global domestic leagues – especially in the northern hemisphere – with Paul Goze, president of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) which represents the leading French clubs, set to oppose the key change laid down by the unions: ejecting the French and English club leagues and possibly the Pro 14 from the normal season and asking them to play in the summer.
The Times also reports that the opposition is being supported by some English club owners, and the European Professional Club Rugby organisation, which represents the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.
It is understood that Goze will present his own blueprint. On Friday he said: “The first [point] is that if we play in those months in the summer, we lose the length of our competition. At the moment we occupy ten months and it’s like a TV series. Every week there is a new moment in the series, and so everyone is talking about it and people are really involved — and our broadcaster, Canal Plus, likes that. That’s very important for our revenue.”
He pointed out that between Bastille Day (July 14) and the end of August, business life in France always tailed off. “If you play in the summer it’s no good for ticketing because people are on holiday. It’s no good for our corporate sponsors because they can’t invite guests and do their entertainment.”
