Heidelberger were aware of Challenge Cup ownership rules, states EPCR

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) insists Heidelberger financial backer Hans-Peter Wild was aware of the regulations that will prevent the club from competing in the Challenge Cup next season.

Heidelberger were finalists in the 2017-18 Continental Shield, but EPCR has not allowed the German outfit to enter next season’s European competition as Wild also owns Challenge Cup participants Stade Francais.

EPCR’s Regulation 14 states that “no entity shall control, or be in a position to control, either directly or indirectly, more than one club”.

The organisation said this issue was communicated to Wild, as it consulted stakeholders to reach a “unanimous” decision that Heidelbegrer and Stade could not compete in the same competition.

An EPCR statement read: “In advance of that confirmation [of Heidelberger’s place in the Continental Shield final], the potential for a future risk to the integrity of its tournaments was raised by EPCR during face-to-face meetings and telephone conversations with Dr Wild’s representatives.

“The issue was also discussed with Dr Wild on August 12, 2017, in Nyon, Switzerland, and, since then, EPCR has sought further meetings with Dr Wild and has been in formal contact with his representatives.”

Heidelberger would have become the first German club to qualify for one of Europe’s two major competitions.

The EPCR statement added: “While the continued expansion of the footprint of European club rugby is a key objective, EPCR is also required in the best interests of its shareholders to protect the integrity of its tournaments.”

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