English and French clubs boycott Europe
English rugby clubs pulled out of next season's European competitions after their French counterparts confirmed their boycott.
The dispute relates to distribution of money from the European competitions plus the scheduling of matches in World Cup year.
French clubs chief Serge Blanco made the announcement to journalists at a hotel at Orly Airport, where the board of Ligue Nationale de Rugby were meeting all day.
The threat of a boycott was first made at the start of the year, but it will now be carried out following a 14-3 vote in favour.
English clubs voted earlier this week to back their French counterparts should they decide to boycott the lucrative tournaments.
They have already indicated they will seek to play a cross-border competition to replaced the lost revenue.
French and English clubs have won nine out of the 11 Heineken Cup finals between them - the only exceptions were Ulster in 1999 and Munster last year.
© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
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