We can’t get out of this anymore. Despite the Rugby, that of the field, which resumes and replays, where the UBB shines in Top 14, Biarritz astonishes in Pro D2, Périgueux and Langon create a sensation one level lower. But this sport has often been overtaken by business lately…
Despite South Africa which has definitively established itself as master of the world and Eben Etzebeth as Ares*. Despite the things of the French XV which are slowly resuming and the organizations for the autumn tour which are finally being established, while waiting for the first names of selected players, the first training sessions and the first match against Japan.
We can’t get by with all our stuff. Of so many affairs, this word behind which nothing good ever resonates. Judge instead the “glorious” week of French rugby, where the ball is eclipsed by the elections for the presidency of the FFR.
Monday, press release “attacking” Camp Codorniou, on the subject of insurance. Tuesday, “in defense” response from the Grill camp, on the same subject. Figures against figures, where everyone makes their arithmetic demonstration to affirm their conviction.
Also on Tuesday, letter of resignation from sixteen members of the steering committee, all from the opposition. Brave ? Symbolic, above all: no steering committee was no longer planned before the election of October 19. We are giving in the communication effect and, meanwhile, the amateur clubs in touch with the realities on the ground are no longer even impatient. They give up their weapons.
In Midol, imagine that we discuss with those who experience other rugby on a daily basis, that of towns and towers. It’s the salt of our profession. So, pro-Grill? Pro-Codorniou? They can have their ideas, and their beliefs which oppose them. But they have united in recent days on a theme: “Fed up with this campaign which talks about everything except our realities, our difficulties. » And some even dare, at the end of their tether: “I can’t wait for this to end.” »
We listen to them, we hear them and we understand them. As we hear this exasperation which arises among the spectators, less engaged in rugby matters, but just as passionate: from this summer of 2024, we will especially remember the drama.
The Jegou-Auradou affair obviously, which never ends. Every day, every week, we are promised a verdict. Whatever it is. And then nothing, except an (finally) open debate on the third halves, their practices and their excesses, where tongues are loosened on the multiple addictions that flourish there.
Then the Narjissi affair, so upsetting but which now turns into a legal battle where everyone blames each other for the error, unconsciousness or cowardice. We forget (too) quickly the unspeakable misfortune of this family, faced with the horror of losing a child: the time is now for war, that of lawyers and their incisive press releases to assert that “it is the fault of the ‘other “. It was predictable. It’s not glorious though.
Rugby suffers from all this. From what he created, as one generates a monster. Above all, rugby will have to reinvent an argument for itself, when its economic reality is first and foremost that of patrons, sponsors and therefore, ultimately, a certain support from the general public. If it has relied for twenty years on its self-proclaimed values, like a blessing falling from heaven, our sport will struggle to repeat this argument in the coming months, in front of the audience of partners. However, their support is vital for thinking about the future and embracing it. Today, French rugby above all sells its world a nauseating story, from business to the twists and turns of the electoral campaign. So, we move, we change and we get out?
* Greek god of war
