Califano case adjourned

By Jason Harris
July 22 2002

The compensation case filed by Stade Toulousain against Saracens prop Christian Califano has been adjourned until early next year.

Midi-Olympique reports that after there was no progress on Monday, the case is to be re-presented on 5 February 2003.

Toulouse are claiming compensation from they player of around €1.2M as they believed that he is in breach of contract following his move to Sarries from Auckland Blues. The club thinks that Califano should have gone back to them after his stint in the Super 12 competition and not gone elsewhere.

Though Toulouse no longer want Califano to play for them after the LNR (the French equivalent of the ERL) ruled that the disputed clause - which allegedly said that Califano was to return to his old club - in the contract was unenforceable, they are demanding the money as they have had to recruit more prop forwards.

Meanwhile, Califano is issuing a counter-claim for €150,000 which will be heard at the same time.

This is good news for both player and his new club as they are both now free to concentrate on pre-season activities leading up to the kick-off of the new Zurich Premiership season on 1 September.