CATALANS have finished their 2024 campaign, but preparations are already underway for the following one, which will have a large financial issue that will have a “significant impact” on the team as well as a new player and coaching staff.

In order to start getting ready for 2025, players and coaching staff have been dismissed before returning on November 4.

Club executives are still occupied with financial matters, though, after the RFL leaders’ demand for a significant alteration to the Dragons’ connection with UK-based teams.

 

“For the first time in the club’s history, we will have to pay all of the expenses incurred by visiting Super League teams and RFL officials next year,” Catalans’ new CEO, Sebastien Munoz, stated to the local media.

“That includes airfare, lodging, meals, transportation, and all other expenses related to the journey to Perpignan; it is a substantial expense that we have not yet finished estimating. We are continuously refining it, but we have already exceeded 400,000 euros.

“We will need to find ways to cover this additional expense as it is quite significant.”

The Dragons haven’t paid for visiting teams’ expenses since joining the UK-based league in 2006, while Toulouse Olympique has since joining in 2009.

Earlier this year, RL Commercial Managing Director Rhodri Jones indicated on the League Express Podcast that he would bring Catalans in line with the Olympians.

In March, he declared, “We all know how much money is going to France from the British game, but what do we receive back in exchange for it?

Many interested parties will argue that France will gain from distribution and a TV deal, but what will remain?

“That is one of the questions we must address and investigate in order to guarantee that French clubs compete in the Super League fairly.

Read more at: https://sportupdates.co.uk