Cash row splits Cup squad
It just keeps getting better for Scotland :verysad:
Cash row splits Cup squad
From correspondents in Edinburgh
July 05, 2007
EDINBURGH has withdrawn 12 players from Scotland's World Cup training squad until a dispute with the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) over appearance fees is resolved.
The players, including Chris Paterson, Mike Blair, Allister Hogg and Scott Murray, have spent the week training with their club instead of with Frank Hadden's national squad, following a dispute over the distribution of Magners League and European Cup appearance fees.
A crisis meeting was held overnight in an effort to resolve the situation but no agreement was reached.
"It's in the hands of our legal team. They are advising us and there is nothing to say until that happens," said an Edinburgh spokesperson.
"We're trying to work to a satisfactory resolution but Edinburgh's international players will be training with the club until that happens."
The SRU remained tight-lipped, stating only that the meeting had been unsatisfactory and confirming that ity might look into invoking International Rugby Board (IRB) regulation nine.
It states that: "A union has first and last call upon the availability of a player for selection and appearances for a national representative team or national squad of that union and all attendances associated therewith, including training sessions."
The relationship between Edinburgh and the SRU has been strained after a consortium, fronted by the brothers Alex and Bob Carruthers, franchised the club. A number of issues - such as the distribution of revenues, and the failure of the SRU to consult Edinburgh on its decision to close the Border Reivers - has sparked public spats.
Reuters
