Phillips confirms Bayonne rugby sacking

By AP / Wire

Welsh halfback Mike Phillips has announced plans to take legal action against Bayonne after confirming he has had his contract terminated by the French rugby club.

The 31-year-old intends to issue proceedings against the Top 14 side, who are yet to officially confirm his dismissal for allegedly turning up drunk to a video analysis session on October 11.

Bayonne chairman Alain Afflelou on Monday morning described Phillips’ alleged behaviour as “treason” in an interview with Sud Ouest.

In a statement, Phillips said: “I am extremely disappointed and frustrated by the decision taken by Aviron Bayonnais Rugby Club to terminate my employment.

“I was also disappointed by the fact that I officially heard about my dismissal through an interview given in a French newspaper this morning.

“As a result of discussions with my legal team in France, I have now instructed them to issue proceedings … through the French judicial system.”

Phillips was accused of being intoxicated the morning after Bayonne defeated Grenoble 37-6 in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Phillips sat out Friday’s 24-19 victory over Montpellier.

The two-time British and Irish Lions tourist said: “I wish to thank my teammates and the many friends I have made in the Basque Country for their help and kindness over the past two seasons.

“I will now wholeheartedly concentrate all my energy and efforts on training with Wales and try to earn a place in the match day squad to help Wales have a successful Autumn campaign against South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Tonga.”

Afflelou claimed if the club had not sacked Phillips, he would have stepped down and he did not expect to have to pay the player any compensation.

He told Sud Ouest: “It was him or me. I could not have stayed in a club with such disagreement.”

“From the moment he let us down, his friends, coaches and fans, it was not possible to keep him.

“However, I had great respect and affection for the boy, very respectful, and the player. I had already kept him on a year ago against everyone’s advice.

“This summer, I even invited him to my house to offer him a contract extension of two years.

“I trusted him. This is treason.”

The Crowd Says:

2013-10-30T03:25:01+00:00

Johnno

Guest


Wow this makes the ARU look so soft. Bayonne just rip in and go for the juggular, no tolerance for any crap. You can't be an adult, your gone.

2013-10-30T03:16:58+00:00

JB

Guest


It is not only a question of "big bucks", it is a question of respect - my employer would never tolerate me being drunk at work. This is what Phillips was doing so he got what he deserved. Talent or no talent, there are rules to abide by when you work with others. The guy is good looking, plays for Wales and the Lions and thinks he is immune to anything. Wrong. Come back to real life. If he has alcohol problems, and it seems that way (unless he has so much money he has to "drink" it), there are avenues to get cured. Suing your ex-employer will not resolve his behaviour and alcohol problems. Grow-up and be an adult. Phillips is not an 18 year-old anymore, he is in his early 30s...

2013-10-29T23:20:55+00:00

HardcorePrawn

Roar Guru


I can't recall seeing anywhere a statement from Phillips denying being drunk though, so I think from that we can safely assume that it was the case. Bayonne have also stated that this wasn't an isolated incident and that Phillips is a "repeat offender". I suspect that he's had warnings before (he was suspended in 2011 for an unspecified off-field incident) and that this was probably the final straw. Pretty much every employer puts clauses in their contracts about drinking or being drunk at work (I know my employers do), so this sacking should not really have come as a surprise to Phillips. I know that if I turned up for work drunk I'd be disciplined (they MIGHT tolerate it once), so why should it be any different for a rugby player?

2013-10-29T19:12:10+00:00

Billy Bob

Guest


Yes, Ben, not even my family know how I suffer as a Wallaby. It's a secret I keep deep and dark. Ha! No it is not an 'easy' life but a professional player is well rewarded. Rewards like these have strings attached. I am surprised though that no-one has picked up the theatrics of the coach- "treason" !?!?

2013-10-29T14:29:36+00:00

Ben.S

Roar Guru


It a;ways stuns me when people say professional rugby players get paid big bucks and have an easy job and life. You have no clue.

2013-10-29T12:57:45+00:00

Roarer

Guest


Tane: Because they get payed the big bucks to have an easy job and life, while the rest of humanity (most) slug it out for a fraction of what rugby players get. They're also professional athletes who are role models for children. Why do you think kids these days have those pathetic James O'Connor hair cuts? It's because they follow him. That's why we expect them "to be above the rest of humanity". JOC has a history of problems; that's why Russell has stated that he thinks he is bigger than the team.

2013-10-29T10:12:55+00:00

Ben.S

Roar Guru


'Maybe' 'they think that the normal rules don’t apply to them' Pretty concrete statement.

2013-10-29T08:46:09+00:00

Tane Mahuta

Guest


Accused of turning up intoxicated. Accused. Personally I think its a bad thing to do but I wouldnt have sacked him for that alone. I would have said that if it was ever to happen again he would be sacked then fined him and stood him down for a game or 2. Whats with everyone wanting people sacked? Another thing I dont understand is why people say that JOC and Phillips think "theyre bigger than the team". How do you come to that conclusion? JOC gets in an argument at the airport and this means he thinks hes bigger than the team? I dont get it. Wheres the link? Also Russell says that these guys think that the rules dont apply to them. Not everyone who breaks rules thinks that. Some do it by mistake or through stupidity or irresponsibilty. Thats not thinking the rules dont apply to them. In some cases they may have not even thought they were breaking rules (airport arguments and eating burgers at 4 am) Why must we first expect rugby players to be above the rest of humanity in terms of behaviour and why must we assume the worst of them when they prove to be as fallible as the rest of us.

2013-10-29T05:30:37+00:00

HardcorePrawn

Roar Guru


I suspect he'll want a pay-out, but I really can't see that happening either, dereliction of duty and all that. Apparently all of the Welsh clubs are at the limit of their salary cap too, so can't sign him. It's being reported elsewhere that if Phillips does re-sign with the WRU, as is expected, only London Welsh will be able to take him, and presumably pay him a much smaller wage that that which he was getting at Bayonne. Where I come from we call that 'p***ing on your chips'

2013-10-29T05:10:14+00:00

JB

Guest


What a lack of respect for the guys who are paying your massive salary! And what a lack of respect for a club that was counting on you....

2013-10-29T01:43:32+00:00

Brett McKay

Expert


Hardly going to make them change their mind, is it..

2013-10-29T01:34:58+00:00

Roarer

Guest


Well at 6 ft 3', I would say he is bigger than the team, well most of them anyway. Locks, don't count. They have gigantism.

2013-10-28T23:05:22+00:00

HardcorePrawn

Roar Guru


Taking legal action after being sacked for rocking up to work drunk? Good luck with that Mike!

2013-10-28T22:40:13+00:00

Gary Russell-Sharam

Guest


Maybe he has the same disease that O'Connor has. Thinking he is bigger than the team. I marvel at these blokes, they think that the normal rules don't apply to them

Read more at The Roar