Rugby chiefs turn down R19bn Qatar offer
07/27/2024 12:59 AM
World Rugby and the leading Test unions – including SA Rugby – have rejected a multi-billion rand offer from Qatar to host the Nations Championship finals.
The Gulf nation aimed to stage six playoff matches between Six Nations and southern hemisphere giants, including the Springboks, starting from November 2026, across multiple venues in Doha, including the illustrious Lusail Stadium, the 2022 Fifa World Cup final venue.
Reports indicated that Qatar's offer could have yielded commercial returns of up to £800 million (R19 billion) over eight years.
However, according to the UK’s Daily Mail, the proposal is now off the table – for the time being – despite there being an assumption that it was a done deal, given the profits involved.
Union bosses were reportedly acutely aware of the potential reputational damage had the deal gone ahead with Qatar – which hosted the Fifa World Cup amid a backdrop of outrage over the deaths of thousands of migrant workers brought to the country to work on stadiums.
There is also a reported fear that Test matches would take place in near-empty stadiums, given the logistical challenges for travelling supporters.
In the wake of Qatar’s failed bid, bosses are now considering taking the tournament to the USA, as a way to build rugby interest in the country ahead of the 2031 World Cup. Emerging European nations Spain and Portugal are also in contention.
Photo: RvS.Media/Sylvie Failletaz/Getty Images
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