faced with the heavy deficit of the French Rugby Federation, its president wants savings “everywhere”

We live “beyond our means”, notes the president of the FFR, Florian Grill.

Florian Grill announced it when he took office this summer, he confirmed it during a General Assembly in Marcoussis on Saturday December 16: the French Rugby Federation is in the red. We live “beyond our means”notes the president of the FFR, who highlights an operating deficit of 40 million euros over the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons.

Two decisions weigh down the FFR’s accounts. First, there is this agreement with the Stade de France which does not compensate for the shortfall when the Blues have to play outside the immense Saint-Denis enclosure. However, next winter, during the Six Nations tournament, the Tricolores will go to Marseille, Lille and Lyon, since the Stade de France is under construction before the Olympic Games. The president of the Federation did the accounts: “For us, it is a shortfall of around two million euros per match since there are not the same capacity in the provincial stadiums, there is not the same capacity to sell hospitality.”

Hospitality, these services offered to VIP guests, is the other decision which is straining the budget of French rugby. The company that organized the World Cup in France sold them well, but bought them too expensively from the world rugby body. Result: 13 million euros loss, and the federation, as a shareholder, must absorb part of it.

“Eight to ten million euros” in savings every year

There is therefore an urgent need to reduce expenses, defends Florian Grill. “The savings are estimated at eight to ten million euros every year”he said, assuring that he wanted to do “everywhere”.

“We are not going to cut the human resources made available to the France team because we are not crazy. The Blues represent 80% of our income.”

Florian Grill, boss of the FFR

at franceinfo

“On the other hand, we can do internships in Marcoussis instead of doing them all over Francesuggests the president. We can moderate the quality of the hotels we go to.” Florian Grill also hopes to increase the number of partners and licensees in order to turn things around within two years. Otherwise, in the worst case scenario, you will find yourself filing for bankruptcy.