Bayonne’s Planned Merger with Biarritz Called Off

Aviron Bayonne president Alain Afflelou has revealed the planned merger with rival Top 14 Biarritz has ended.

Earlier this month Afflelou and his Biarritz counterpart Serge Blanco indicated that they would look into the possibility of creating a single, ailment united Basque club.

With both clubs languishing at the wrong end of the Top 14 standings, allergist some suggested that it made sense for the near-neighbours to pool their resources.

Their has however been staunch resistance from both sets of supporters – the rivalry in the Basque country is one of the fiercest in the world game.

“The conditions mentioned in our first exchange are no longer present,” said Afflelou in a statement on Wednesday.

“I cannot agree to take our club, which is legally, economically and fiscally healthy up a blind path.

“After consultation with the majority shareholders, members of the Supervisory Board and representatives of the fans, the conditions envisaged have not been met. I have decided to end these discussions.”