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Toulon has officially changed hands
By Ian Cameron
Controversial rugby magnate Mourad Boudjellal has officially sold his majority share in RC Toulon.
Reports from France over the weekend suggested that Boudjellal was set to sell his shares to Bernard LeMaitre – a pharmaceutical multi-millionaire, and it has been confirmed today.
LeMaitre already owned 44 per cent of the famous club, and the sale of Boudjellal’s controlling share means has become Toulon’s effective owner.
LeMaitre made his money with LeMaitre Vascular and his personal wealth is estimated at close to €200 million.
“The Top 14 requires significant financial capital, especially to provide our club with high-level sports infrastructure,” explained Boudjellal at a press conference in France today.
“I am pleased that Bernard Lemaitre’s collaboration allows us to compare ourselves to the best clubs in Europe."
Boudjellal’s time with Toulon has been marked by both controversy and success in equal measure. The club won three European Champions Cups and a Top 14 in 2014, but his outbursts have frequently made headlines.
His treatment of All Black Julian Savea last season was widely condemned by players past and present.
Savea’s bumper salary – believed to be a million euros per season – was a trigger for Boudjellal who believed he wasn’t getting a return ‘at that rate’.
“At one point, it was him or me! Quit paying someone as much … especially at that rate.
“I may have been too harsh with him, but I am someone excessive and whole. I never shower with lukewarm water,” Boudjellal told Midi Olympique in May.
Toulon’s disastrous season saw the club fail to get out of the pool stages of the European Champions Cup for the first time, with losing to the bottom-placed Premiership club Newcastle Falcons at home a low point. They finished 10th place in the Top 14 with their worst placing since they were promoted.
“The RCT has never been so poorly ranked in the Top 14 since I was president! I would love to remake the Toulon Laporte years with, at least, one final per year. I’m working on it, by the way,” he said.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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