War of words in France - 'It's not a question of a cockfight or selfish interests of each club'

Clermont president Eric de Cromieres has forcibly called on coaches and ex-administrators to keep their mouths shut and allow French club owners decide what is best for the Top 14 and its indefinite suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

There has been much commentary in France about how and when the season might resume when the current lockdown restrictions are lifted by the French government.

Bordeaux boss Christophe Urios and his Montpellier counterpart Philipe Saint-Andre have been vocal with their opinions, as has ex-Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal.

Boudjellal was reprimanded by Agen president Jean-Francois Fonteneau on Twitter over the weekend and now de Cromieres has had his say on the Clermont website regarding the stoppage in France.

“The presidents are working and looking for solutions,” he explained. “What is not admissible is to read the opinions of people who are not club presidents and allow themselves to give their opinion. 

“I think in particular of Philippe Saint Andre or Christophe Urios. The presidents take care not to express their opinion, it is not for their assistants to speak on the subject.

“Philippe Saint-Andre has been in his club for a fortnight. I do not see what he has to say and in what capacity he does it. 

“It is not a question of a cockfight or selfish interests of each club but of a common cause to end this season of best of all ways. 

“Let the club presidents work among themselves. They are fairly reasonable and aware of what is needed and that goes well beyond a simple sports season. 

“Coaches can, and they do here in any case, give their opinion internally but I think they should refrain from doing it publicly.”

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