ProD2: FC Auch Gers "99%" certain to go
bankrupt as financial rescue package fails
03 April 2009
 Troubled
Pro D2 club FC Auch Gers have a “99% chance” of going
bankrupt according to club chairman Eric Belooussoff.
He
further added that the club’s dire financial situation –
caused by the withdrawal of funding by major sponsor
Textilot – was likely to result in it being ejected from Pro
D2.
Belooussoff said he would personally finance players’ wages
until the end of the season to avoid the club having to
forfeit league fixtures – which would automatically result
in demotion to Federale 3.
Pro D2
table
“I hope
we only file for bankruptcy in June and prevent the club
from not finishing the season,” he added.
Auch
have been struggling financially all season but appeared to
be saved when Textilot pledged €150,000 Euros in January,
with a further €300,000 to follow in 2009/10.
But that
agreement has now fallen apart due to a personal dispute
between Textilot CEO Regis Dumange and Belooussoff. The
impact of the cash withdrawal has been drastic and
immediate, with the club’s players now being told they are
free to seek employment elsewhere.
Auch,
founded in 1891, have twice been Pro D2 champions in recent
years – 2004 and 2007 – won the European Shield as recently
as 2005 and were only relegated from Top 14 last season.
Elsewhere in Pro D2 SCA Albi have
confirmed that New Zealander Blair Stewart has signed a
contract extension.
Stewart
was free to sign after he was released from his Rugby
Southland contract back in New Zealand.
He
played for the Stags in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup, but
opted to try his luck in France after missing out on a Super
14 contract.
The
25-year-old subsequently requested to be released from his
Stags contract after settling well with Albi as they chase
promotion back to Top 14.
Meanwhile, runaway leaders Racing Metro 92 have
signed South African Jacques Cronje from Biarritz on a
two-year deal.
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