Rugby: “We cannot assume the deficit alone”, the FFR threatened with bankruptcy?

In an interview with Le Figaro, Florian Grill, the president of the French Federation, returned to the financial difficulties of the institution, already mentioned in our columns. And he sounds the alarm, speaking of bankruptcy and making the State face its responsibilities while also asking for help from the National League, which administers professional rugby. "What is complicated is the legacy of the World Cup," stressed the president of the FFR. The deficit is €57 million: €36 million in operations and the €21 million in tax adjustment requested on December 23. This legacy is beyond the reach of the FFR."

Florian Grill then sounds the alarm. "If we had to pay these €57 million tomorrow, we would be in bankruptcy," he says. "There is a joint responsibility with the State. In the organization of France 2023, there were State controllers. The State collected €800 million in VAT revenue. Minus the €100 million in security costs, it remains largely the winner. It must listen to us because we cannot assume the deficit alone. Do we want to save soldier rugby or not?"

The president of the FFR is also in discussions with the National League about possible financial support. "Amateur rugby is in great pain," he notes. "So I expect part of the LNR's income to go to support these small clubs that have youth teams, which are building the future." "Economically, French rugby is now concentrated in the big cities, while that of villages and medium-sized towns is disappearing," he continues. "We are losing the network. We need to find a way to financially promote the small training clubs. If there is no more amateur rugby, there is no more professional rugby."