Toulon boss threatens to sue ARU on Cooper

[The InnFORCEr]

AAP
July 23, 2015, 6:43 am


Enraged Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has threatened to sue the Australian Rugby Union for "millions of euros" if Quade Cooper backflips on his big-money contract with the French club.

Cooper had been set to join Toulon after the World Cup, but reports this week indicate the Wallabies and Reds five-eighth has opted to stay in the country on a four-year deal with the aim of leading the Australian Sevens team's charge to the Rio Olympics.

In a dramatic tirade on French radio, Boudjellal accused the ARU of playing dirty for continuing to negotiate with Cooper after he had already committed to Toulon.

"They are speaking to a player who they know has signed," Boudjellal told Sud Radio.
"So there is collusion there and I might sue the Australian federation to ensure our rights are respected."

It was expected Cooper would have to pay the six-figure release fee from his own pocket given the ARU's previous reticence towards players who renege on deals.

But Boudjellal was adamant the 27-year-old had already signed a contract with them and if he did not honour the deal he'd be willing to pursue Australia's governing body for far more.

"If Cooper doesn't come, the compensation will be in millions of euros," he said.

"He was our first choice. The damage to our image is significant.

"He took a photo with us, we centred our season ticket campaign around him, his jersey is on sale.

"What's more, we passed on other fly-halves to get him."

Cooper, who is currently in Argentina with the Wallabies, will reportedly devote all of next year to the Australian sevens program before returning to Super Rugby in 2017 - most likely with the Reds.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...aru-on-cooper/

[GIGS20]

If the exit fee is paid, what can Toulon sue for?

[jargan83]

I'm no lawyer but how can they sue after putting a price tag on releasing him? Wouldn't that just encourage interested parties to continue negotiations.

[jono]

Hahaha awesome. Have been waiting for something like this given it's Toulon. ARU should file a counter claim for Toulon announcing it as early as they did. I mean this has been going on since April now

[GIGS20]

Boujeddal is famous for announcing stuff that hasn't happened and then threatening to sue when it doesn't. I don't remember seeing anything go to court but......

Incidentally it's interesting that Queensland aren't interested in chasing Cooper anymore, they have gotten more out of encouraging people to back out of letters of intent and verbal agreements than any other team in World rugby (except Toulon apparently)

[Basha69]

So where will Cooper be next season, is 7's a full-time gig or will he have to sign with a franchise?

[yungfen]

Mourad Boudjellal is just a cry baby..... I dont think that there are any foundations for him to recover millions of Euros from the ARU other than the exit amount stipulated which in nowhere close to millions.
He has always been one to blame everyone for anything that goes wrong.... interesting that they would have picked Cooper as the face of their season ticket campaign with all the stars that they already have at end and who are obviously more known by the French public than Cooper that they would not know much of (No disrespect to Cooper).

[beige]

So where will Cooper be next season, is 7's a full-time gig or will he have to sign with a franchise?

Looks like he'll just be on a 7s contract next year, which is effectively a full-time gig nowadays.

[The InnFORCEr]

Looks like he'll just be on a 7s contract next year, which is effectively a full-time gig nowadays.

Unless you're Henry Speight

[brokendown gunfighter]

what about the guys playing the 7's circuit at the moment-are they all going to get the arse before the olympics? Then get recontracted after?

[jono]

what about the guys playing the 7's circuit at the moment-are they all going to get the arse before the olympics? Then get recontracted after?

Yeah that doesn't sit well with me either! but I guess it's about going for the gold medal, no time for hurt feelings.

[beige]

Unless you're Henry Speight

True but, until Cooper finds a franchise, it looks like sevens is all he's got!

Realistically it's only going to be a few players coming in - I imagine it will be fringe players that make way, who are probably in and out of the squad in any case.

[Basha69]

So what kind of salary are the 7's players getting paid. Don't tell me Quade is in it just for the chance of a gold medal?

[beige]

So what kind of salary are the 7's players getting paid. Don't tell me Quade is in it just for the chance of a gold medal?

That's the question - I believe the top players earn in the mid-five figure range although I might be mistaken.

[brokendown gunfighter]

there will be bonuses if they win a medal-plus a free helicopter ride courtesy of Bronwyn Bishop