Exclusive: Rugby World Cup Organisers “removed” from Everyday Fans Claims Tigers CEO
October 1, 2013
The chief executive of Premiership rugby champions Leicester Tigers has accused the organisers of the Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC2015) of being “removed” from the fans.
Tigers CEO Simon Cohen was disappointed that the 24, medstore 000-seater Welford Road Stadium was not selected to host a match during the RWC, price with regulators claiming the stadium was not wide enough for World Cup rugby.
That is despite the likes of South Africa, generic Australia and Argentina playing at the ground and Cohen said the decision did not make sense.
Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Cohen said: “I think they made that decision because those that make the regulations are such a long way removed from what the ordinary fan on the ground wants.
“That is why they made that decision and I think they have made a big mistake.
“Welford Road is an iconic rugby ground, with a large fanbase. It would have been a perfectly fitting venue for any World Cup matches in this area.”
Cohen went on to question the official explanation from the decision makers at RWC2015 and highlighted examples of why they were wrong to reject the champions’ home ground.
“They have said our pitch is not wide enough,” Cohen commented.
“But it is clearly wide enough for South Africa to play on it, as well as Australia, New Zealand Maoris and Argentina. Those games have been extremely successful in recent years.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me at all.”
Read the full interview with Simon Cohen here.
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