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Plans for the merger of French clubs Stade Français and Racing 92 have officially been scrapped. An outcry of opposition from supporters of both storied clubs came following the shock announcement earlier in the week by owners Thomas Savare and Jacky Lorenzetti that the two Parisian clubs would become one. A player strike involving both sides saw two Top 14 fixtures postponed this weekend, and an emergency meeting called by the LNR to discuss the matters on Friday morning. Talks were due to resume on Monday but today Lorenzetti released a statement on the official Racing 92 website.
“I decided, with Thomas Savare, to bring Stade Français and Racing 92 together to create the great Ile-de-France club of tomorrow and ensure it a long-lasting and brilliant future. I decided to give up this beautiful project.”
The speculation of which players will end up where next season will end, though some may yet decide that the bizarre ownership is unpalatable. A decision will be made on Monday when the postponed games will be made up. So concludes one of the strangest weeks in professional rugby in recent years, or as another might put it, just another week in French rugby.
