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Albi`s relegation confirmed - again

Tuesday 08th July 2008

Close your eyes: We're going down

France's Olympic committee hammered what should be the final nail in Albi's relegation coffin on Monday when it upheld the Ligue National du Rugby's decision to drop club to the Pro D2 for financial irregularities.

Albi finished the Top 14 season in 12th position - hence above the relegation zone - but their best sporting efforts could not be matched by their suited representatives who lost their appeal to the French Rugby Federation on June 10.

France's Olympic Committee for arbitration have now supported that decision, though the club's management have vowed to fight on and take their case to the Council of State and the Administrative Court.

Club president Bernard Archilla and his team have been pulling out all the stops - even organising a march through the town on the day of the club's last home game and receiving a €250 000 bail-out form the town council.

The saga drags on, to the benefit of Dax who have avoided relegation thanks to Albi's dilemma, but it looks very much like Albi's goose is cooked.