Boudjellal accuses ERC offixing

COLOURFUL Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has accused European Rugby Cup Ltd (ERC) of fixing Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-finals for the benefit of Pool 2 winners Leinster.

The controversial Toulon owner announced on Tuesday in La Provence that he had sent a letter to ERC asking for an explanation and proof of the draw, which he claimed had not been shown on French television.

That lack of tv coverage sparked rumours in France the draw was done behind closed doors, although it is believed neither Boudjellal nor any of the other French club bosses were aware the draw was live on Sky.

“By chance, the province of Leinster will not only be home for their quarter final, which they won sportively, but for the semi-final too,” said the outspoken Toulon boss.

“Is it a coincidence ERC headquarters are to be found in Dublin? On behalf of Toulon and all the other French clubs we are prepared to shine a light as to why the draw was conducted in secret. That’s why we did what we did (in sending the letter). We’re ready to do everything necessary.”

An ERC spokesperson told La Provence the clubs concerned were informed the draw would be broadcasted live on the British channel ‘Sky Sports’ and on the ERC website.

“(France 2 show) Stade 2 was then to transmit a delayed broadcast of the draw as was the case. Last year the draw of the semi-finals appeared on Stade 2 as the final was in Paris.”

Meanwhile, Northampton Saints confirmed they will play their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster at stadium:mk. The Saints had hoped to keep the fixture at their Franklin’s Gardens home, but the ground’s 13,591 capacity falls below European Rugby Cup’s 15,000 threshold for a last-eight tie.

The tournament organisers were unwilling to give special dispensation and, as expected, Northampton have now officially confirmed the move. Chief executive Allan Robson revealed the Aviva Premiership club had looked at the feasibility of temporarily increasing the capacity of their regular home, but with such a solution not being enough to bring it up to 15,000 the decision was taken to move to the Milton Keynes ground, which holds 21,500.

Robson was also critical of the attitude of the local council’s leadership towards the club’s plans to increase the capacity; Saints hoped to use money supermarket retailer ASDA would have paid for a store on an expanded site.