Biarritz see red at Limerick scenes shown during final

PowerHouseDan

THE European Rugby Cup confirmed yesterday it has received a formal complaint from losing finalist Biarritz about TV coverage of the Heineken Cup in Cardiff.

The French club has written to the tournament organisers to criticise the decision to show live pictures of Munster supporters in Limerick on two large video screens inside the Millennium Stadium at a pivotal point during the game.

Sky TV, which controlled the TV images displayed in the ground, broadcast scenes of thousands of cheering Munster supporters from O'Connell Street in Limerick when their team was leading 20-16 and again a few minutes before the final whistle when the Irish province was ahead 23-19.

Biarritz believe the pictures gave Munster an unfair advantage, although they accept there is no prospect of having the result reversed.

Marcel Martin, president of Biarritz Olympique, claimed the decision to broadcast scenes of large crowds in Limerick which were beamed on two giant video screens inside the Millennium Stadium was "totally unfair".

Mr Martin highlighted how similar pictures of crowds in Biarritz were not shown, despite the fact that the French club had also put on facilities for their fans.

In an interview in yesterday's Sunday Tribune, Mr Martin, one of the best known administrators in French rugby, said he believed that Sky TV should have remained unbiased.

Biarritz have also expressed concern to the ERC about the organisation surrounding Cardiff as a venue. Mr Martin has complained that Irish fans were able to book flights and accommodation ahead of Biarritz fans (because the pairing of Leinster and Munster in the semi-final ensured an Irish team in the final) which forced many supporters of the Basque club to fly to Bristol and stay in hotels a good distance from Cardiff.

However, Mr Martin also praised Munster for winning the Heineken Cup. "No question about it," he observed. He congratulated Irish rugby fans as being the best in the world for their enthusiasm as well as their respect for opposing teams.

An ERC spokesperson said footage of crowds in the hometown of finalists had been shown for a number of years without controversy.

mikedragon32

I'm inclined to agree with his sentiments. At halftime, the music played was predominantly "munster themes", for want of a better term.

Everyone recognises the importance of the crowd as a motivator and at the time the scenes from Limerick were shown on the screen, the Munster fans had started to go quiet as Biarritz caught up.

Anyway, what's done is done.

On a similar tone though, why is Twickers getting the final again? It seems like ages since it's been anywhere outside UK. (and yes, I know they're different unions...)

Diamondmaker

I spose thats reasonable of Biarritz to feel hard done by. Some of the Munster players even commented on seeing the pictures and it helping Gee them up!

TarfHead

mikedragon32 wrote:

..why is Twickers getting the final again? It seems like ages since it's been anywhere outside UK. (and yes, I know they're different unions...)

2006 Millennium Stadium
2005 Murrayfield
2004 Lansdowne Road
2003 Twickenham
2002 Millennium Stadium
2001 Stade de France
2000 Twickenham

Is this correct ?
Maybe the FFR aren't lobbying for it ?

BTW - Tom Humphries on the back page t today's Irish Times Sports section - spot on !

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Snickers Man

TarfHead wrote:

BTW - Tom Humphries on the back page t today's Irish Times Sports section - spot on !

Beverage through the nose time!!

I bow to nobody in my admiration for the writing talent of Tom Humphries. As far as I am concerned he is the best sports writer currently working in the Irish media.

However he has a number of blind spots, principal among them being his instinctive distaste for the game of rugby. Apparently he played for a few seasons at junior level and developed a bit of a chip on the shoulder about how he, a northside Gah player, was treated by the southsiders who predominated in the game at the time.

Now there is no point in taking offence with somebody just because they have different preferences to oneself. But to cast aspersions on the sincerity, passion, commitment and resilience of some sports fans because they are middle class, as he did in his article, is inverted snobbery of the worst kind.

I live in Dublin 4 and you know what? It rocks. It really does. I get to walk to all Leinster's matches, regardless of which of the three 'home' venues they play in and still get home in time for supper. I can dander into town on a Saturday morning and sample the delights of the coffee and cake shops off Grafton St and the markets in/around Camden St.

Do I lie await at night thinking 'Ah Jayzus if only I lived in Marino I'd be more 'sound', in whatever sense Mr Humphries means in his article?

Me arse.

Now. To his whinge about the GAA being alone as the subject for criticism for alcohol sponsorship of its events. This is balderdash, which I suspect Humphries got from a report in today's Irish Times (his own paper) written by Sean Moran.
To quote

Irish Times Monday May 29th 2006 wrote:

Writing in the programme for yesterday's provincial hurling semi-final between Cork and Clare, [Munster Council chair Seán Fogarty] said ..."the contrast between the deafening silence of both the media and public at large as regards the sponsorship of that competition by Heineken and the furore over the sponsorship of the hurling championship by Guinness is truly amazing.

"The Guinness sponsorship concentrates on the heroic deeds of strength and valour necessary to succeed at the highest level. The rugby sponsorship is far more aggressive, where even the match officials are walking billboards. The actual rugby trophy is called the Heineken Cup.

"Can you imagine the reaction if the GAA called the Munster championship cup the Guinness Cup? I for one would be checking my passport was in order before I would announce it..... I believe that we deserve a level playing field."

© The Irish Times

This simply does not stand up as a quick archive search of the Times past issues shows. Type in [alcohol sponsorship GAA] followed by [alcohol sponsorship rugby]and you get very many of the same articles.

To quote from a few:

Irish Times December 17th 2004 wrote:

"I think that all sporting bodies - but particularly the GAA and those involved in soccer and rugby who actually get funding from the taxpayer for their stadia and other initiatives - should ask themselves whether it is appropriate to accept sponsorship from alcohol companies," said. [Professor Ivan J Perry of the national Parasuicide Registry, on the occasion of the launch of its annual report in 2004.

(sub needed) (my emphasis)

An ERSI Report on the 'Social and Economic Value of Sport in Ireland published in October 2005, in which it singled out the GAA for its "unique contribution" and called it one of the "great generators of social capital in Ireland" pointed out that

Irish Times October 6 2006 wrote:

"There is cause for concern in the degree to which socialising associated with sport involves alcohol, particularly in the case of team sports" - this evolves around the centrality of the club in the social and organisational context of the GAA, rugby and to a lesser degree, soccer, in Ireland.

Or you could read this articlefrom 2001 which decries the malign influence of alcohol on soccer and rugby in England before moving on to the GAA in Ireland and then pointing out that "The GAA are not alone in all of this. The same intimate relationships with alcohol are present in rugby, soccer and a host of other Irish sports."

So as you can see, the GAA, soccer and rugby are mentioned in the same breath in the Irish Times at least whenever anybody makes negative noises about alcohol sponsorship of sport.

Quite clearly, Fogarty and Humphries are talking nonsense. Why is this? Could it just be that each is just a typical small town egomaniac with a persecution complex or could it be that this is the first whiff of the fear that rugby's new found popularity is beginning to engender in GAA folk?

This would be a shame. Both sports can co-exist. At the top levels, players will specialise. At the lower club levels there is no reason why amateurs could not play one sport in the winter and another in the summer.

Provided each was welcome in the others club house. And were allowed to buy each other a beer or two.

TarfHead

Snickers Man wrote:

.. But to cast aspersions on the sincerity, passion, commitment and resilience of some sports fans because they are middle class, as he did in his article, is inverted snobbery of the worst kind.

Well, I can't go into the detail of why I agree with his piece today without this degenerating into yet another tedious Munster Leinster game of handbags, but ..

.. for me TH articulated something that resonates with me - just that IMHO the Munster tribe lay on the whole 'team of the people' thing a bit too thick for my taste.

EdgarAllenPoo

It's fairly simple if the Biarritz team had home support like Munster's then it would have been shown as well, to complain about a thing like that is juvenile and petty.

istep

mikedragon32 wrote:

I'm inclined to agree with his sentiments. At halftime, the music played was predominantly "munster themes", for want of a better term.

Everyone recognises the importance of the crowd as a motivator and at the time the scenes from Limerick were shown on the screen, the Munster fans had started to go quiet as Biarritz caught up.

Anyway, what's done is done.

On a similar tone though, why is Twickers getting the final again? It seems like ages since it's been anywhere outside UK. (and yes, I know they're different unions...)

I think they have absolutely no complaint to make. In fact any team that bring such a tiny support to a european final don't deserve to be there. If you cut to Biarritz there was most likely nothing there to see.

And thats from a Leinster supporte who was at the stadium.

PowerHouseDan

I suppose its the teams fault for people not travelling? Ridiculous comment

istep wrote:

In fact any team that bring such a tiny support to a european final don't deserve to be there.

istep

PowerHouseDan wrote:

I suppose its the teams fault for people not travelling? Ridiculous comment

Thanks for that equally ridiculous comment.

So lets just compete against teams who are basicly just a corporation they get to a european final and the " supporters " can't be bothered to show up, is there any point to a club like that ?

I presume the team just showed up because there was bonus money at stake. Seriously I was there and if there was 1000 BO fans out of the 74000 thats the absolute max.

Sorry to sound so hacked off but joking aside it must have been depressing for a BO player to walk out on the field and look around.

PowerHouseDan

Could say the same about leinster..... Semi final, Home ground... There Supporters could turn up......

istep

PowerHouseDan wrote:

Could say the same about leinster..... Semi final, Home ground... There Supporters could turn up......

I was there also and I saw alot more then 1000 Leinster supporters TBF. Altho I do take the point that you had some munster supporters who would have sold their granny and paid anything for a ticket to the semi final ( and did ! ) and some leinster fans who were happy to take the big bucks ( both sets of fans being wrong ).

Trojan

That's bull, Dan. There were plenty of Leinster fans there. The problem was they're too f#cking polite to interrupt while the Reds are singing.

Mind you, I still don't understand why Munster fans insist on singing our song.

PowerHouseDan

How is it Bull? I not saying Leinster have as Bad supporters as BO...Istep said that BO any club with such a tiny support dont deserve to be there....That was Bull...If was a Home Game for Leinster. There should of least been Half Leinster Fan at the Match... Fair enough didnt help that so many touts got hold of the tickets and sold them to Munster. All i said was Leinster Support wasnt great for that match.. Which is wasnt. It was nothing to do who was singing Louder..

Crash

In fairness its a lot easier for your lot to get our tickets than vice versa - how many munster rugby fans are living in leinster as opposed to vice versa? how many munster rugby players are playing for clubs in leinster as opposed to vice versa.

Trojan

There should of least been Half Leinster Fan at the Match... Fair enough didnt help that so many touts got hold of the tickets and sold them to Munster. All i said was Leinster Support wasnt great for that match.. Which is wasnt.

I'd like to see proof, actual proof, that there were not 50% Leinster fans at that game.

The problem is not whether they go to the games, it's a serious lack of presence. Not attendence.

And you Munster fans are turning me into a right good ol' Leinster fan, defending them left right and centre. Where's me green jersey gone?

Crash

Apparently Connacht has been incorporated into Munster while you've been up in the big schmoke. sorry Al

Steffano2002

istep wrote:

I think they have absolutely no complaint to make. In fact any team that bring such a tiny support to a european final don't deserve to be there. If you cut to Biarritz there was most likely nothing there to see.

France is not in the middle of an economic boom like Ireland. Most people can't afford spending a week-end in Cardiff costing €500+ all included. Biarritz supporters are phenomenal. I was amongst them at the Stade de France last year for the final of the Top 14 against Stade Français and they're amazing! What you said was stupid.

PowerHouseDan

Finally someone agrees with me that that post.... But not the Insults...

Crash

Steffano you're on a warning. any namecalling etc. like that again and it'll be a ban.

Steffano2002

I've edited my post to cut out "the insults". I'm sorry but I've no patience for people who talk cr@p...

Sundy

Steffano2002 wrote:

France is not in the middle of an economic boom like Ireland. Most people can't afford spending a week-end in Cardiff costing €500+ all included. Biarritz supporters are phenomenal. I was amongst them at the Stade de France last year for the final of the Top 14 against Stade Français and they're amazing! What you said was stupid.

Well steffano i totally agree with you that was the most ignorant statement i have ever seen in my life. I regurlary watch setanta and it is obivous how much these people love their rugby and i saw it first had in Toulouse nad they dont only love their rugby when their club plays in the H-Cup. Suupporters in france would put most rugby fans to shame with their devotion to the sport. And istep you have the cheek to criticise them because they cant afford to travel, grow up and take a trip outside ur box sometime.

On the original point i do think Biarritz have a valid complaint. I dont think its fair that the players should recieve any outside support on match day.
Reverse the situation, on two occasions during the game the Biarritz home support is shown and Biarritz go on to win. Then after the game similar comments are made by the Biarritz players about the scenes on the TV lifting their game. I think we all know the outcome, the whole of munster woul be up in arms and the ERC would join neill back in the enemies corner. Dont deny it, because we all know munster fans dont take losing graciously.

Crash

I don't think any fans take losing very graciously, and a part of me would be worried if they did tbh.

Sundy

&#231 wrote: »

I don't think any fans take losing very graciously, and a part of me would be worried if they did tbh.

Yes but some take it less graciously than others:)

istep

Steffano2002 wrote:

France is not in the middle of an economic boom like Ireland. Most people can't afford spending a week-end in Cardiff costing €500+ all included. Biarritz supporters are phenomenal. I was amongst them at the Stade de France last year for the final of the Top 14 against Stade Français and they're amazing! What you said was stupid.

Am I not correct in that BO laid on a package for €120 of a day return charter flights and ticket included ( which were mostly taken by munster fans who flew to Biarritz on Friday night )

And the argument about the economic boom is a bit weak TBH. Have you been to France recently. OK unemployment is sluggish in parts of France ( mostly lower socio economic areas of the big cities ) but there is still an awful lot of " middle class " very comfortable people knocking about !

And your point about the stade de france last year proves my point ... super 14 they will support ( anyone seen the cost of a weekend trip to Paris recently ? ) but European cup final they couldn't give a rats a*s !

istep

PowerHouseDan wrote:

Finally someone agrees with me that that post.... But not the Insults...

????

PowerHouseDan

What i ment, that i am glad someone agree what you said was wrong. But dont agree with the Insults he made.

Snickers Man

Steffano2002 wrote:

Biarritz supporters are phenomenal.

Is the season still on in France? I only ask because I'm going on holiday in a couple of weeks to......Biarritz. If there was a game on I'd go. My son would probably insist on wearing his Munster jersey to it though.

Little turncoat.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Steffano2002

istep wrote:

And the argument about the economic boom is a bit weak TBH. Have you been to France recently. OK unemployment is sluggish in parts of France ( mostly lower socio economic areas of the big cities ) but there is still an awful lot of " middle class " very comfortable people knocking about!

I am French. And I was there last week actually and I do know better than you how people there live. My family and my friends live there so I should know. Trust me when I say most people can't afford it.

istep wrote:

And your point about the stade de france last year proves my point ... super 14 they will support ( anyone seen the cost of a weekend trip to Paris recently ? ) but European cup final they couldn't give a rats a*s!

Firstly, it's "Top" 14 (not being cheeky, just letting you know). Secondly, it doesn't cost much to get a train to Paris. Most supporters actually get a group going and rent a bus to get there. It is much cheaper than flying abroad and that is why filling the Stade de France isn't that hard.

I would like to say one thing though. Irish supporters are fantastic. I really do believe they are the best in the world (you'd be a fool not to think so). They will travel everywhere and show the rest of the world what being a supporter really means. They are very respectful, the silence during the kicks being the best example of this respect. You should hear the French commentators during the games where Irish teams play... They are in absolute awe when a packed 80.000 seater stadium goes quiet. Even the commentators on TV5 during BO - USAP earlier on were talking about it!
Anyway, keep doing what you do best. I hope you never change...

Steffano2002

Snickers Man wrote:

Is the season still on in France? I only ask because I'm going on holiday in a couple of weeks to......Biarritz. If there was a game on I'd go. My son would probably insist on wearing his Munster jersey to it though.

Little turncoat.

First semi-final just finished. BO beat USAP 12 - 9. You didn't miss it though as it was being played 550km away in Montpellier.

Second semi-final is on tomorrow in Lyon. Game is shown both on Setanta Ireland (Sky channel 429 if you paid the subscription) and TV5 on Sky channel 805 (free view but French commentaries).
And Toulouse better win cos I'm going to the final next week-end in Paris and I already had to support Biarritz last year... And I don't want to do it again!

ALLEZ LE STADE!!!!!

Chucky the tree

istep wrote:

I think they have absolutely no complaint to make. In fact any team that bring such a tiny support to a european final don't deserve to be there. If you cut to Biarritz there was most likely nothing there to see.

And thats from a Leinster supporte who was at the stadium.

Maybe they couldnt get a ticket because there were all bought by leinster fans? who have no reason to be at the game anyway. :rolleyes:


I agree with what the BO director/chairmen or whatever said. Next years final is at twickenham. If its a munster vs sale match(or another english team) and sky just show picture of the english teams home support on the big screen i wouldnt be at all suprised to see posts in here giving out about it.

Hes not asking for a replay, he just wants sky broadcaster to be unbiased in the future, is that really a bad thing he is asking for?

As for the fans comment. :rolleyes:

Dublin to cardiff is a much shorter trip compared to Biaritz to cardiff.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Sundy

Chucky the tree wrote:

Maybe they couldnt get a ticket because there were all bought by leinster fans? who have no reason to be at the game anyway. :rolleyes

Yes they do, the ERC encourages fans to buy their tickets well in advance and attend regardles if their team makes it or not. This is the reason why the 2 teams in the final are only given a small number of tickets.
Not so much this year but at previous finals many supporters of different rugby teams attended wearing their club colours to watch the match.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Steffano2002

Steffano2002 wrote:

First semi-final just finished. BO beat USAP 12 - 9. You didn't miss it though as it was being played 550km away in Montpellier.

Second semi-final is on tomorrow in Lyon. Game is shown both on Setanta Ireland (Sky channel 429 if you paid the subscription) and TV5 on Sky channel 805 (free view but French commentaries).
And Toulouse better win cos I'm going to the final next week-end in Paris and I already had to support Biarritz last year... And I don't want to do it again!

ALLEZ LE STADE!!!!!

We won! Toulouse - BO in the final! ALLEZ LE STADE!!!!!!!!!!!

Snickers Man

Steffano2002 wrote:

it doesn't cost much to get a train to Paris. .

You're not joking!!

Last year I bought a one-way ticket from Limerick Junction to Dublin on an Iarnrod Eireann rattle trap. 40 yo yos one way on a Sunday.

Next week we will be taking a TGV (that's French for **** Fast Train) from Paris to Biarritz. Price per passenger for a four and a half hour journey, much of which will be at about 150mph? 43 EURO.

Granted that's bought and paid for well in advance and there's no refund if we miss our train but that's brilliant value.

Steffano2002

Sncf Ftw!!!

Snickers Man

Hmm. SNCF I know, but WTF is FTW?

PowerHouseDan

For The Win?

Diamondmaker

For the Wecord?:D

Steffano2002

PowerHouseDan wrote:

For The Win?

And PowerHouseDan is the winner!

And when something like that bothers you: wikipedia FTW!

cgarvey

Snickers Man wrote:

Hmm. SNCF I know, but WTF is FTW?

http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.asp?Acronym=Ftw

Or, to loosly translate SNCF are good

Steffano2002

Great website this one!