Australia
Boudjellal to Cooper: 'you'll be as broke as Greece'
ESPN Staff
July 28, 2015
Quade Cooper's contract saga continues to drag on © Getty Images
Enlarge

The threats continue to come from Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal over the Quade Cooper contract saga, with the enigmatic Frenchman saying the Wallabies playmaker will be as broke as Greece if he fails to meet his obligations.

Just last week Boudjellal had threatened to sue the Australian Rugby Union following for their part in what is believed to be a backflip that will see Cooper sign a new four-year deal to stay in Australian rugby. Cooper will reportedly switch to Sevens next year as part of the deal before returning to Super Rugby in 2017.

Argentina 9-34 Australia (Australia only)
%]

Boudjellal, however, has shown no signs of backing down from what he believes his an iron-clad agreement with Cooper; one that is worth more far more than the $(A) 230,000 exit clause that has been widely reported.

"The moron of the Australian federation who does not know his file needs to know that the promise of employment is no longer the question," Boudjellal told French newspaper Midi Olympique.

"€150 000 was to pay for the release of promise of contract, but Cooper has signed his contract, I can produce it if necessary. The contract promise is now obsolete. At the present time, if Cooper withdraws, he will have to pay the amount of the contract! It could make him alone, the second most indebted State after Greece (laughs)!"

Cooper was photographed alongside Boudjellal in a Toulon jersey earlier this year, seemingly confirming his move to the French giants after this year's Rugby World Cup. But it soon became clear Cooper was having second thoughts and while Queensland Reds eventually pulled out of negotiations, the ARU, and particularly Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, remained hopeful he would not be lost to Australian rugby.

Quade Cooper shakes hands with Toulon club owner Mourad Boudjellal in a Toulon jersey, Toulon, Top 14, April 24, 2015
Quade Cooper posed alongside Boudjellal earlier this year © RCT
Enlarge

Never far from the headlines in Australia, Cooper was forced to apologise for an offensive Twitter post following the Wallabies' win over Argentina in Mendoza at the weekend. A prolific social media user, Cooper was believed to be responding to an article in the New Zealand Herald as well as a barrage of personal attacks on Twitter.

Cheika said Cooper would face no further disciplinary action after offering his apology while it is believed his rumoured four-year deal with the ARU could be unveiled ahead of next week's Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks.

That is only likely to further enrage Boudjellal and could fast become a dangerous distraction for the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.