EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

Edinburgh ordered out of Murrayfield
BILL LOTHIAN ([email protected])
EDINBURGH Rugby were today ordered out of Murrayfield and told to repay £1.4 million in advance funding as stakes were raised to unprecedented levels in the row between the club and the Scottish Rugby Union.

As revealed by the Evening News earlier this week, attempts to make Edinburgh homeless are the latest twist in a long-running dispute sparked by competition payments allegedly due.

In a statement issued today, the SRU said: "Scottish Rugby has confirmed today that the operating agreement between Edinburgh Rugby and Scottish Rugby has been terminated by Edinburgh Rugby.

"Consequently. Edinburgh Rugby no longer have any rights to play or train at Murrayfield and Scottish Rugby has asked when they plan to vacate the stadium."

Edinburgh have threatened to take court action in their row with the SRU over Magners League and Heineken Cup fees. Edinburgh claim they are owed a substantial six-figure sum, which the SRU dispute. The row led Edinburgh to withdraw 12 players from Scotland training for a week last month, heightening the tensions between the two parties.

The statement added: "Scottish Rugby now requires immediate repayment of a proportion of the funding the governing body has advanced Edinburgh Rugby since July 2006.

"The deadline for this repayment, which amounts to almost £1.4m, is close of business on Friday, August 3, 2007 ... these actions have had to be taken."

However, this was immediately dismissed by Edinburgh owner Bob Carruthers who, in a further escalation of the troubles, said court papers demanding payments of up to £7m could be lodged with the SRU as early as this afternoon.

Carruthers also maintained he would be enforcing not only a tenancy agreement, but what the Evening News has learned is a contractual clause giving the music/film impresario sole rights to operate professional rugby within a ten-mile radius of Edinburgh.

Carruthers argues that the SRU tactics are based on an accountancy ploy linked to a forthcoming financial AGM. He also maintained the SRU was trying to force him out, but indicated he would be standing firm. "The SRU are saying they will give us money if we liquidate the club.

"That would mean players on the dole and we don't want to do that.

"There is no such thing as an open agreement and I see the club continuing to do what they have been doing for a year which is train and play at Murrayfield."

Meanwhile, SRU chief executive Gordon McKie today broke his silence to tell the Evening News he was in the game for the long haul.

McKie also said the SRU would not stand by and see Edinburgh Rugby go into "disarray" while defending the governing body's integrity. This was particularly true he said in terms of financial matters.

McKie revealed he had addressed a meeting of Murrayfield staff this morning: "They needed to be assured that claims the union was close to insolvency are untrue," he said.

McKie was also keen to counter claims that Edinburgh players and staff could be locked out.

"First of all I believe Edinburgh players to be on holiday this week but as a responsible employer I would expect Bob Carruthers to address his staff on Monday. What we have acquired today is when Edinburgh will be leaving the stadium.

"Getting Edinburgh Rugby back has never been our agenda and we maintain the model makes a lot of sense. But Edinburgh's rugby team is rapidly falling into disarray and we want to see two competitive teams in Scotland.

"There have been contradictions with Edinburgh players told they are free to leave and then that they will go at their peril. Our motive is to ensure Edinburgh Rugby continue.

"We have tried to be dignified and deal with these matters behind closed doors but the longer it goes on the more damage to Edinburgh Rugby."

• EDINBURGH Rugby's recent signing Ian Nimmo has quit without playing a game for the club. The second-row was signed from Leicester Tigers in February. However, the ex-Heriot's star is now joining Coventry.

This article was posted on 2-Aug-2007, 14:10 by Hugh Barrow.