View Article
Statement from ERL 12/07/07
Edinburgh Rugby Limited makes the following statement in response to Scottish Rugby Union's statement of 11th July 2007.
PLAYING STATUS
Edinburgh Rugby Limited is delighted that SRU has confirmed that Edinburgh Rugby Limited has at all times enjoyed the right to play professional rugby. As a professional team operating under the auspices of the SRU, ERL has always maintained this right.
Under the SRU's own byelaws the objects at 2.5 state that the union has an expressed duty to assist professional rugby teams playing under the auspices of the SRU.
For the avoidance of doubt, there has never been suggestion by Edinburgh Rugby Limited that it would not comply with IRB Regulations, or with applicable SRU bye-laws and rules and ERL has formally confirmed this fact to-day. It was wrong to suggest that this might be the case.
PLAYER RELEASE
ERL would also like to make it clear that its players were requested and released to Scotland for the whole of May and June.
Edinburgh rugby is under a contractual obligation to SRU plc to release the Edinburgh players to Scotland again on July 13th.
In fact the players have already been released. The players were released early by Edinburgh Rugby Limited to the Scotland camp by the senior management of ERL. To help clarify matters the players selected for the Scotland camp were given absolute assurances by Bob Carruthers at a group meeting on Thursday July 5th that they were free to report for Scotland duty at any time in advance of the agreed July 13th release date.
All Scotland players chose the option to rejoin the Scotland camp one week ahead of the agreed July 13th date and were accordingly released by the club. Edinburgh Rugby are disappointed that this generous gesture has not been recognised and the myth has continued to circulate that Edinburgh rugby has in any way been unhelpful in this matter.
Edinburgh Rugby wishes to make it absolutely clear that its players selected for the Scotland squad have effectively been on Scotland duty since Saturday July 7th. The players selected for Scotland have been resting as per the world cup schedule and have not trained with the Edinburgh squad who have continued to prepare for the forthcoming season in a professional and dignified manner.
It is important to note that the Scotland players are Edinburgh's employees.
ERL would prefer to enter into positive dialogue on a lasting solution to the structural problems which exist in the professional game concerning national representation. ERL acknowledges SRU's wish that these procedures be confidential and will enter into and abide by any formal confidentiality agreements between the two parties.
MEDIATION
The unfortunate events of the last week have done a great deal of damage to ERL and its legitimate interests and caused extreme anxiety to its employees. This damage is continuing and should be remedied immediately.
Given the continuing stress and anxiety to ERL's employees ERL is firmly committed to legal action if there is no alternative but wishes to avoid an unnecessary and expensive action against SRU as this is clearly not in the best interests of ERL or Scottish Rugby.
ERL wishes to make it clear that this is not the time for recrimination or delay but what is absolutely vital is that matters must be addressed without further delay.
DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS
ERL welcome the opportunity to clear its reputation at the SRU disciplinary panel to be held later today (Thursday July 12th). The panel has been convened by SRU to sit in judgement on the actions of ERL in relation to player release and charges have been laid against all of ERL's past and present directors, its company secretary and senior management.
ERL is please to note that the inappropriate notice stating that ERL would be investigated and sanctioned by the SRU panel has now been removed from the SRU website.
ERL is completely satisfied that the disciplinary panellists chosen by SRU are reputable, independently minded and fair and that they will approach the hearing in a fair and independent manner. ERL looks forward to exploring the issues in an adult and constructive manner.
THE WAY FORWARD
ERL remains confident that all of these matters can be quickly resolved. Should this prove to be the case the coming season brings the prospect of one of the world's greatest players playing professional rugby in Scotland and Scottish rugby supporters can look forward to seeing how those talents blend with our own.
The realisation that these matters had been dealt with fairly and expeditiously by SRU with ERL would galvanise the Edinburgh investors who in turn would continue to work tirelessly on behalf of Scottish
Rugby generally to bring back into the fold other organisations and potential investors who are no longer supporting Scottish rugby.
The whole hearted and public support of the Edinburgh investors can also be harnessed to bring other investors into the game who could bring outside investment in partnership with public bodies at local and national level to help to re-build a Borders team and revive the Caledonia team. This would the pro-game a proper framework and a settled strategic vision which is dedicated to producing the very best talent for Scotland in Scotland and bringing through the next generation of Scottish Rugby talent.
Despite all of the present difficulties ERL remains firmly committed to that vision.
ERL hereby reaffirms it's commitment to building Scottish rugby talent in Scotland and extends a genuine offer to SRU to work with us to make this a reality.
