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Rugby Union

Blanco hits back at Millar

12/04/2007

Legendary French full-back Serge Blanco has launched a stinging counter-attack after being accused of being "naïve" and "selfish" by IRB boss Dr Syd Millar in the ongoing row over the future of the Heineken Cup.

Now the president of the Ligue National de Rugby which represents top French clubs, Blanco claimed that Millar's strongly-worded criticism strayed beyond his responsibilities as the head of the game's governing body.

"Passion within rugby can push us all to excess," he said in a letter to Millar.

"But in this present case, certain parts of your statement of April 9th seem a verbal aggression, coming from a person who should normally be the judge of peace in the rugby world.

"The demand of the clubs is perfectly legitimate and does nothing to justify what you have presented them as: rebellious egoists."

The clubs' participation agreement with the Heineken Cup's organisers finishes at the end of this season and so far negotiations on an extension have stalled over the amount of control the clubs should have over future editions.

The Rugby Football Union has refused to concede ground over the lucrative competition to Guinness Premiership sides who have, with the support of their French counterparts, threatened to boycott the 2008 competition in response.

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