Rugby strike over merger

Players from Stade Français in Paris walked out over plans to merge the club with the capital’s other big team, Racing 92.

They refused to train or play against Castres on March 18, forcing the match to be postponed, while the Top 14 league also called off Racing’s game against Montpellier. It was the first time a team had gone on strike since the sport’s professional era began in 1995.

Fans and players were angered at the merger plans and six days later Racing 92 president Jacky Lorenzetti and Stade president Thomas Savare said they were “giving this project up”.
Previous sports stars to have come out en grève include the 2010 French World Cup football team and Tour de France cyclists in 1998, while Ligue 1 football referees went on strike in 2011.