Magners League refuses entry to Italian clubs

Celtic Rugby Ltd and the Italian Rugby Federation have not been able to conclude a satisfactory agreement for the addition of two Italian teams into the Magners League in September 2010.

The following statement was released by Celtic Rugby to explain the situation as it stands:

"In March 2009 Celtic Rugby agreed in principle to the possible enlargement of the Magners League subject to certain conditions being met in terms of commercial, finance, playing standards and playing/spectator facilities.

"Celtic Rugby engaged Deloitte to conduct a comprehensive "due diligence" process to satisfy the shareholders and existing Magners League clubs of the feasibility, financial and otherwise of this structural change to the Magners League and in particular to ensure there was no resulting net cost to the existing 10 clubs.

"Following an extensive process that involved consultations with FIR and its nominated clubs, the existing Magners League participants and Celtic Rugby, Deloitte provided a report to Celtic Rugby in December 2009, clarifying the various parameters that had been met and that would need to be met.

"Despite extensive discussions between Celtic Rugby and FIR in December and January it has not been possible to reach a satisfactory agreement by the deadline set of end January 2010, clarity being required at this point in order to plan not only the Magners League but also Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup for the 2010/2011 season."