The administrative relegation of Rugby Nice is the bad news of recent days and raises serious doubts about the possibility of the oval ball getting the place it deserves in the sporting life of the city of Nice. Find the Facebook page: [Sauvons le Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sauvons-le-Rugby-Nice-C%C3%B4te-dAzur/370395426317835)
However, without diving back into the saga of Nice rugby, which would require writing a novel, it is simply worth recalling that the bankruptcy of the Deffins project marks the third failed attempt in just over 5 years to position Nice, the fifth largest city in France, at a level of excellence in the modern and demanding world of rugby, especially in terms of organization and financial resources.
It all began with the SRL of Gilbert Stellardo, which was supposed to join the alliance between NUC and the late RRC Nice to give life to RNCA. Duration of the attempt: 2 sporting seasons, followed by the dissolution of the company.
Then came the Sasp, almost entirely financed by the Anglo-Monegasque “businessman” Paul White, through a company based in… Cyprus. Duration of the attempt: 2 and a half sporting seasons, liquidation of the company by the Commercial Court, with a liability of over 800,000 euros.
Finally, from this sporting season, the Deffins project, which aimed for promotion to Pro D2 in three years, then to Top 14 in the following three years, with a starting budget of more than 2 million euros, which increased to 2.7 million at the Financial Assembly on December 23.
Meanwhile, as of June 30, 2011, the previous club management had anticipated a liability of around 300,000 euros (mainly due to the verified loss of 215,000 euros of the Sasp to the Association), which were provided for as much as 440,000 euros but became the subject of a dispute between new and former leaders (Mr. Deffins’ letter to club members and Jeff Tordo’s forceful intervention on regional television with the threat of legal action. Immediate press response from Christian Baldacchino, accusing his successor of “lying”).
The rest is now known: Philippe Deffins, whose professional activity is more than lacking, is not the investor he claimed to be, and the enigmatic English financier who was supposed to accompany him in this venture became invisible. More transparent than White, as Coluche might have said.
In reality, the club has only one real source of funding, the city of Nice, which grants an annual subsidy of 740,000 euros. Within the club, they claim that an additional subsidy of 400,000 euros was promised during the revised budget. True? False? Promises? In any case, this is what the Court-Appointed Supervisor notes in his report on the anticipated revenues, in addition to 666,000 euros in donations and 761,000 in sponsorship. Of course, the difference between revenue and expenses indicates a rather significant deficit (383,000 euros as of last December 31).
To date, the Court of Commerce Supervisor, following the Conciliation Procedure requested by the club on December 15, 2011, notes in his February 9 report: “the inability to meet its financial obligations with a presumed liability of over 1 million euros due to the failure of commitments from Mr. Deffins (500,000 euros) and an English investor represented by Andrew Knox, who ultimately was none other than the same Paul White (still him!) who had committed to 600,000 euros without following through.”
And finally, as we reported at the end of the week, the DNAGC demands explanations, receiving none, and takes the decision to relegate the Azurean club to F3!!!
How did it come to this?
The replacement of Christian Baldacchino, the historic president of NUC and RNCA since its inception, by the ephemeral Philippe Deffins was the result of a long-standing opposition from a group of club leaders who allied with a notable figure in Nice rugby, international player Jeff Tordo, who publicly claimed through the press to have received the approval of the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi. True? False? However, it is likely that the City Hall was an active party if not complicit in this operation.
And how can we believe that Mr. Deffins’ proven financial inconsistency was never questioned during the numerous contacts he claimed to have with city officials?
Therefore, we would like to note the statement of the Deputy for Sports in the local newspaper when he claims: “The City Hall has fulfilled its obligations. The club will continue its activities with charismatic leaders and volunteers.” But we would venture to add that more than charismatic leaders, it would be better to have leaders who are devoted and respectful.
As for Vice-President Catoni, who worries about the club being “assassinated in the press,” we can remind you that the press only has the role of speaking about clubs—sometimes assassinated by their leaders—and not managing or trying to grow them.
Is a miracle possible? Nice Premium has already reported on a possible takeover operation by a group of national scope. For reasons of confidentiality, we will say no more for now.
We can only hope that, for once, the higher interest of Nice rugby takes precedence over the ambitions of one and all, and that if there is a rescue, it will be better accompanied and supported.
Because, as we fondly remember, it all started last spring with Christian Estrosi’s visit to Arboras for a medal ceremony for the Pitchounettes, champions of France. The Mayor of Nice’s declaration of the ambition for an elite rugby club made more than one person’s eyes shine. As a reminder, Nice Premium commented on this event by writing: “Where there’s cheese, the rats will appear.”
