Zebre Parma stand on the brink of oblivion

The Federazione Italiana Rugby will decide Zebre Parma’s future in a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, but it seems the struggling franchise will close its doors next June.

A new Italian URC franchise will likely take Zebre’s place, but this time around it will work independently of the union, in a similar fashion to Benetton’s current setup.

Italian journalist Ivan Malfatto reported today in the Italian newspaper Il Gazzettino that: “The Italian Rugby Union council will approve the criteria needed for an investor to acquire the Parma [Zebre] Rugby Franchise license. It is the moment of truth for the transfer to the Petraca facilities located in Padua to happen (URC directors have already been on site to approve it), with the support of industrialist Alessandro Banzato, who will inject 5M€ per season into the new franchise.”

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It is not clear whether the name ‘Zebre’ would survive the process, or whether a new name and brand will emerge as part of the overhaul, although RugbyPass understands the latter is the most likely outcome.

The recently elected Italian Rugby Union president, Andrea Duodo, had promised to review Zebre’s future as a club, with an eye to disbanding it, while on the campaign trail and it seems he is making good on that promise, with the proviso that the URC team franchise license will be preserved. He stated in his election manifesto that: “The URC franchises cannot live on their own, because the players come from the underlying movement. The Zebre are thus a cost. They are a project that absorbs energy and resources that can be redistributed in the underlying championships. We need to find a solution on the market that enhances the team and gives an economic advantage.”

Zebre depends heavily on the FIR and the side has been a major bone of contention in Italian rugby, with most local clubs demanding deep changes in how the franchise operates. If the license is successfully sold, it would likely mean a decrease in the union’s expenditures at the top level and would allow the FIR to invest in other parts of the game.

The Italian union would keep a minority stake in the new franchise – working in a similar fashion as to their current arrangement with Benetton.

Enrico Grassi – owner and president of the Italian rugby club Valorugby – might also be interested in the license. Still, it is unclear if a joint venture between him and Banzato is possible.

It is also unclear what will happen with Zebre’s current roster, with the next couple of weeks set to be decisive. Zebre has taken part in the Pro12/URC from their base at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi since 2012, but it seems their adventure will end come 2025.