Montpellier seeking compensation for Racing postponement

Montpellier are seeking thousands of euros in compensation from French rugby chiefs for the postponement of last Saturday’s Top 14 clash with Racing 92.

The National Rugby League (NRL) called off the clash at Altrad Stadium on the eve of the game amid talks over a proposed merger between Racing and Stade Francais.

Controversial plans for the two Paris clubs to join forces were scrapped on Sunday following a huge backlash, which included the threat of strike action from players and other protests.

Montpellier on Tuesday revealed that they will pursue a claim after being hit in the pocket as a result of the match against the champions not going ahead.

A club statement said: “Last Friday, we were forced by a unilateral decision of the NRL Bureau, at the request of Racing 92, not to play on Saturday night.

“Nevertheless, the referee asked us to be present at the time of the match as if the match were to take place.

“We are still challenging the rationale for the NRL decision, which we are still looking for, and we are now waiting for the position of the FFR [French Rugby Federation] as announced by Serge Simon yesterday morning: ‘The FFR considers the deferral decision inappropriate. As such, it has initiated a procedure for the review of this decision … and has maintained the official system of the match, the presence of the referees being able to note the absence of one of the teams’.

“In any event, once the meeting between the President of the FFR and the NRL has taken place, the MHR will continue the actions essential to the defence of its rights and in particular the reimbursement of all the expenses incurred as well as the lost revenue which amounts to several hundred thousand euros.”

Stade’s match against Castres was also postponed.