Club presidents lined up this weekend to criticise Canal Plus. Mourad Boudjellal, president of Toulon and head of the league’s broadcasting rights committee, said that the broadcaster “no longer respects its subscribers. This is the end of a historic marriage.” Gaston Maulin, president of Bourgoin, said: “Rugby does not deserve this treatment. Canal Plus is risking depriving its subscribers of rugby next season if negotiations are not conducted on the right basis. There are other solutions for the league besides Canal Plus.” The league is thought to have received 10 offers for its rights. However, with IPTV pay-television operator Orange unlikely to enter the bidding, there is little competitive pressure on Canal Plus.