Toulon players threaten strike action; Perpignan outraged by
Tincu’s 18-week ban
05 November 2008
 Toulon’s
deteriorating season appears to be going from bad to worse
with news filtering out of a player revolt and possible
strike action.
In the latest twist to a damaging row it would seem the
recruitment of John Connolly (see
report) has divided the players to such an
extent that those loyal to Tana Umaga, the current coach,
are threatening to leave the club should he be sacked – as
is widely anticipated.
French rugby paper Midi Olympique said the club’s
Polynesians – including players such as Jerry Collins and
Sonny ‘Bill’ Williams – would return home should Connolly’s
current auditing brief be extended to that of head coach.
The former Wallabies and Stade Francais coach has been hired
by club president Mourad Boudjellal to understand why his
highly paid recruits are so badly underperforming. They are
currently 12th in the Top 14 and hovering just above the
drop zone after a series of woeful performances.
Umaga appears to be taking the flak for the recent slump,
although Boudjellal did make a statement of support at the
weekend. It now seems that was a pre-emptive strike to stave
off player unrest after the recruitment of Connolly prompted
a divisive split in the camp.
“They have an obligation to find a solution otherwise the
threat of strike action may be strengthened,” claimed Midi
Olympique.
Elsewhere, Perpignan have slammed the 18-week ban slapped on
hooker Marius Tincu after he was found guilty of “alleged
contact with the eye/eye area” in the Heineken Cup clash
with the Ospreys.
The ERC’s disciplinary committee handed out the draconian
ban after deciding Tincu’s offence was “of the top-end of
the level of seriousness”.
But Perpignan have leapt to their player’s defence,
describing the decision as “simply outrageous” and “not
based on any reality”. They have vowed the appeal the
decision and fight Tincu’s in the civil courts if necessary.
A club statement described the ban as “a shameful decision
worthy of a banana republic”.
Meanwhile, Montpellier president Thierry Perez has announced
his imminent resignation so that he can stand for election
to chairmanship of the NRL. Serge Blanco, the current
incumbent, is stepping down.
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