A tribute paid to one of the club’s historical figures… sanctioned by the NRL. Stade Montois Rugby learned with amazement on Wednesday that the National Rugby League had fined it 10,000 euros for celebrating Julien Cabannes on May 5 on the 30th day of Pro D2.
The 33-year-old winger, who has more than 200 meetings to his credit with Mont-de-Marsan and 27 years spent in his training club, played his last professional match when Rouen received it at Stade Guy and André Boniface. In the 61st minute, Julien Cabannes came out under a guard of honor and to warm applause from his teammates and players from the opposing team. His two daughters also entered the field to look for him.
On May 10, Mont-de-Marsan then learned to be summoned before the LNR disciplinary committee, which obviously did not appreciate that the match, finally won 47 to 17 by the Montois, was interrupted for a few moments. “I take responsibility for it. These are the values of rugby. 27 years at the Stadium, how else to go out? “, assured the manager Patrick Milhet in South Westindicating that the tribute was made “naturally”.
“This decision is smearing our sport”
The sanction fell on May 17. In his press release, the National Rugby League explains that the Stade Montois was found responsible for “Non-compliance with the regulations in terms of entertainment and/or the kick-off schedule”. “Stade Montois Rugby is fined 10,000 euros,” she adds.
A decision that arouses incomprehension among the leaders of Mons. Club manager Patrick Milhet expressed his anger in the newspaper L’Équipe. « This decision has nothing to do in the world of rugby, it is dirtying our sport, he castigated this Thursday morning. It goes against all the decisions that we have instilled in our players since rugby school. I don’t understand. This decision goes against everything we are trying to convey. I would like there to be common sense”.
