Thingimubob
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http://www.epcrugby.com/europeanrugbychallengecup/news/37721.php
Heidelberger RK have been denied entry to the Challenge Cup by EPCR due to the fact Dr Hans-Peter Wild also owns Stade Francais.
From the EPCR: [He] "would be in a position to influence or to control the management or performance of two clubs in the same competition, EPCR decided that the German club could not participate. A replacement club will be announced shortly."
Very strange decision for me and one that will only hold back the growth of German club rugby.
Seems like an odd double standard considering that many other clubs in the competition are more or less directly managed / owned / funded by their respective national unions?
Also realistically how on earth would it affect the competition? Even if they were drawn in the same group, neither are going to throw the game for the other?!
Similar issue popped up in football at the start of the 17/18 season with Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, and I think UEFA ended up ruling that it was fine for both to compete as realistically there wasn't really any danger of match fixing or anything - not that it mattered in the end as Salzburg failed to qualify!
Can't see why EPCR went the other way at all...
Heidelberger RK have been denied entry to the Challenge Cup by EPCR due to the fact Dr Hans-Peter Wild also owns Stade Francais.
From the EPCR: [He] "would be in a position to influence or to control the management or performance of two clubs in the same competition, EPCR decided that the German club could not participate. A replacement club will be announced shortly."
Very strange decision for me and one that will only hold back the growth of German club rugby.
Seems like an odd double standard considering that many other clubs in the competition are more or less directly managed / owned / funded by their respective national unions?
Also realistically how on earth would it affect the competition? Even if they were drawn in the same group, neither are going to throw the game for the other?!
Similar issue popped up in football at the start of the 17/18 season with Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, and I think UEFA ended up ruling that it was fine for both to compete as realistically there wasn't really any danger of match fixing or anything - not that it mattered in the end as Salzburg failed to qualify!
Can't see why EPCR went the other way at all...