Melhor Time
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Goodbye Aironi
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Well, Herons not dead - yet. The decision of FIR (aka Pontius Pilate) as galvanised the club who are trying, in a race against time (25 April) to put together another package to put to the federation.Here's hoping. Anyway, if the sun is shining on Sunday they'll be the bggest crowd yet at Viadana. Watch out Scarlets!
<big>Latest news today is that Aironi are putting all their eggs in one basket; they are NOT going to submit a new proposal to FIR (deadline 25/4); instead they are going to make a legal appeal against FIR, who they believe, did not understand the problem (Translation: they didn't know what they were talking about): Aironi are not insolvent (they hope to make a small profit on this season) and have met all their bills, including salaries. They are just strapped for cash....</big> Watch this space
DuncTheDoodle
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So, wait, they've got 10 days to raise a huge sum of money? Wasn't that the plot of the recent Muppets movie?
In fact, the decision NOT to put another proposal to FIR by the 25th makes you think that they won't be able to get any further significant funding by that date, hence the legal action...... Can't inmagine it'll work, although they must have taken legal advice on their decision. Now it's FIRs turn to be surprsed! Lots of angry people around in this part of the woods, but not with Aironi, who's only fault was to unexpectedly and without warning lose their main sponsor a month before the season started. That they aren't in debt is due to their good management.
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Yesterday the FIR provisionally accepted the new proposal by Aironi for next season, and the legal action against FIR seems to have been dropped. Now FIR will examine the proposal to see if it meets their financial criteria before giving final approval. As expected, no other offers from other teams were received. Aironi's new proposal includes coaching staff paid by the Federation (they have to pay the salaries of the staff anyway, even if the new Italian coach doesn't want them!) including Troncon as assistant coach. Salaries will probably be reduced and certainly some of the "senatori" will get the hump and leave. "New" team may well carry the name of Viadana!!! (Back to their roots?) Silvano Melegari is presently doing the rounds with the begging bowl - with some success it seems..... Watch this space.
The Aironi chairman, Silvano Melegari, has sent the FIR the new budget plans for the next season. This includes a cut of 30% average in salaries. He had warned the "stars" to expect a cut of 50% but this has not in the event been necessary (or should we say "agreed"??). Most seem like staying, except perhaps for Masi who will be most penalised, having still 2 years of his contract to run. In truth he won't be missed that much, having only played a handful of games due to injury and international call-ups. The other problem for the big names is who, at their age, would have them... Could wage cutting become a trend?
Latest news from the banks of the Po..... Toniolatti and Del Fava movng (at end of contract) to Treviso and Newcastle repectively. Del Fava hardly played last season due to injury, so hope the Falcons have taken this into consideration - and hope he can put up with a geordie winter Toniolatti was originally signed as cover, but did so well he's got into the Azzurri squad. Also Ongaro and Perugini have finished their contracts. Totò may go back to France; Ongaro has his restaurant in Parma so don't know where he'll finish up. Rumour has it that Favaro (flanker) and De Marchi (front row) are having talks with Treviso. The former would be a great loss. Bergamasco has a long term future with the Guardia di Finanza, to get them back to their once high level (a bit like the Civil Service playing in the Championship!!) so is keeping his options open. Finally, the Colorno club has pulled out of the franchigia..... starting to look bleak here. We're waiting with bated breath what FIR will have to say... Off to cheer myself up with a glass or two of Lambrusco.:mellow:
Toniolatti was originally signed as cover, but did so well he's got into the Azzurri squad. Also Ongaro and Perugini have finished their contracts. Totò may go back to France; Ongaro has his restaurant in Parma so don't know where he'll finish up. Rumour has it that Favaro (flanker) and De Marchi (front row) are having talks with Treviso. The former would be a great loss. Bergamasco has a long term future with the Guardia di Finanza, to get them back to their once high level (a bit like the Civil Service playing in the Championship!!) so is keeping his options open. Finally, the Colorno club has pulled out of the franchigia..... starting to look bleak here. We're waiting with bated breath what FIR will have to say... Off to cheer myself up with a glass or two of Lambrusco.:mellow:Unofficial - it has to be as FIR haven't circulated (it's now midnight) a press release following todays summit- but Aironi 2 will NOT get the licence to play in the Celtic next season. FIR will go ahead with a Federal team. This will be a farce and it's time for Dondi to go. A banner at the last 2 Aironi home games sums it up: "A cry for help; a death sentence". See http://rugby1823.blogosfere.it/2012...li-aironi-e-si-fa-la-franchigia-federale.html. Perhaps the Colorno club defection 3 days ago was the nail in the coffin. Hope all the players manage to get new homes - FIR doesn't deserve them, and there's some very good prospects going for a song now.......
Thankyou Little Guy. A situation handled badly by the FIR from beginning to farcical end, and which leaves a bitter taste. Amen
DuncTheDoodle
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So does this mean we'll only have one Italian club in the Pro12 next season, or are they just going to promote a club from the Top10 instead of forming a new side?
No, they'll form a new side based on the ashes of Aironi, managed entirely by the federation. This I will have to see to believe. Rumours say it may be based in Brescia. They have 3 mths to get everything in place; comical if it wasn't tragic. Treviso will benefit greatlly, and who knows, may be FIRs ideas will change yet again! No team I've seen in Eccellenza (ex Top 10) has impressed me much, and indeed no other team has stepped forward with proposals to replace Aironi. Watch this space......
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No disrespect to your countrymen Greybeard, but the FIR couldn't organize a ****-up with a fist full of $100 notes.
Surely the best solution would have been to promote the top side in the Super 10 (Viadana if they stay top) to play in the Pro12?
Surely the best solution would have been to promote the top side in the Super 10 (Viadana if they stay top) to play in the Pro12?
First point: Absolurely true; and they want to manage a team?!!!!! As for the second, I wouldn't rule out any future option! But there stated aim is to do exactly what I ave said in previous posts.......
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Dondi has pronounced.... the federal team wil be based in Parma as it's close to an airport. However, where they will play is still an open question... Parma, (the Parma team never honoured their commitment to the Aironi franchigia), Piacenza or... Viadana.... Some here (oh, what cynics!) are pointing out that Dondi is himself from Parma; i.e a Parmense, not to be confused with Parmigiano, which is a cheese, and much more palatable. He has said that the players will have to be satisfied with whatever salary the Fed decides; those that remain, that is... By the way, Dondi has been at the helm since 1982. Is this a record??? PS: excuse my cynicism.
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