Bayonne scuppers Biarritz merger

Bayonne President Manu Merin dismissed a controversial plan to merge with historic Basque rivals Biarritz after threats were made against him and his family.

It was the second attempt to fuse the financially-troubled southwestern clubs after another failed bid in late 2013.

Banners hostile to the merger were displayed at the Chaban-Delmas stadium on Saturday as Bayonne lost 20-38 to Bordeaux-Begles, with threats also made against Merin and his family.

"Faced with such violence, to protect my family, the employees, I've decided to stop the talks," an emotional Merin told a press conference.

"It seemed appropriate to have discussions with Biarritz. Today [Monday] I prefer to stop before all hell breaks loose. There will be two professional entities [Bayonne and Biarritz] next season."

Biarritz failed in their bid for promotion to the Top 14 next season on the final day on the Pro D2, with relegation-threatened Bayonne 13th in the Top 14 with their destiny out of their hands with one match to play.

Agence France-Presse