French federation and league at odds over rescheduling

PARIS (Reuters) - France's Rugby League (LNR) accused the federation (FFR) of "stunning" interference on Wednesday for cancelling the rearranged fixtures of Stade Francais and Racing 92 following the collapse of the Paris clubs' planned merger.

The LNR postponed last weekend's Top 14 games between Castres and Stade and Montpellier and Racing after Stade's players went on strike in protest at the proposed union of the two Parisian powerhouses.

The LNR on Wednesday rescheduled the games for April, but the FFR intervened, cancelling the decision, without giving any specific reason.

The LNR said it could not comprehend or see any motive for the FFR's decision and stated that the matches would be played "at the dates announced today".

"With this decision, the FFR interferes in stunning and shocking fashion in the (league's) jurisdiction," the LNR said in a statement.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)