By Jason Harris
June 4 2002

Outgoing French champions Stade Tolousain have demanded 1.5m Euros in compensation after French international prop Christical Califano's move from Auckland Blues to Saracens. Califano was granted a sabbatical by Toulouse in order for him to realise his ambition of playing in the premier Southern Hemisphere competition and his French club believe that he was going to return to them after his time in New Zealand came to an end.

Toulouse claim that before his departure for down under, the 66 times capped Califano had signed a "pre-contract" which would tie him to them when he returned to Europe.

However, instead of returning to France, Califano has now signed a three year deal at Saracens and Toulouse have objected. The matter is now being pursued as a legal entity. Although under the regulations put in place by Ligue Nationale de Rugby - the French Equivalent of ERL whose president is Serge Blanco - do not recognise the validity of any pre-contract agreement, Stade are going to try to claim compensation agaist Califano through the French civil courts.

Stade's board have ordered their president Rene Bouscatel to claw back the money (approximately £960,000 Sterling)and begin legal procedings.
The club claims that the amount would cover the club's expenses with regard to Califano over the years plus having to do without a player of his ability in the front row.


Califano himself believes that the move is right and will go ahead with it. It remains to be seen whether Saracens, already involved with the French over compensation owed by the FFR after Thomas Castaignede's injury while warming up for the national side, will become involved in what could be another long-rnning legal saga or whether Califano will have to go it alone.