It is “misunderstanding” among the supporters of the Rugby Club Toulonnais! While they should have savored last Saturday’s victory against Bordeaux 21 to 18 (1st victory since November 2021), they are especially struggling to digest the announcement of the departures, at the end of the season, of Louis Carbonel (Montpellier, unofficial) and Eben Etzebeth (returning to South Africa for personal reasons).
Fans speak of a “bad timing” because the club, 13th in the standings with 2 games behind, needs serenity to save its place in the Top 14. open lettersexplanations to President Bernard Lemaître.
Like the other presidents of supporters’ associations, Patrick Fornet of Buffsis said above all “shocked” by the announcement of the departure of Louis Carbonel, whose contract ended in 2024. “He’s a pure product of the Toulon training, a child of Mayol, the darling of the public… and we push him towards the exit! It’s incomprehensible and worrying! We owe us an explanation” says Patrick Fornet.
Sports project based on training?
Julien Perpère of Son of Besagne adds: “The club’s management has been telling us for several months that the RCT’s sports project is based on training, but we are separating from the best Toulonnais, we no longer understand, it’s a disaster!” Emmanuel Bielecki, President of Z’acrau of the RCTwonders if “The president has changed his tune? He has the right to, only fools don’t change their minds. But we have to inform the supporters, we have to understand what’s going on Especially since this commotion comes at the wrong time: when the club needs serenity in a difficult moment!
Bernard Lemaître will explain himself to journalists on Wednesday. A press conference is scheduled for late morning but the associations of supporters hope that they will be received quickly by the president of the Rugby Club Toulonnais.