Italian side Aironi to pull out of Pro12 after their licence is revoked
- Published
Aironi are bottom of the Pro12, with three games of the season to go
Italian side Aironi will pull out of the Pro12 at the end of the season after their licence was revoked.
The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) made the decision to withdraw the licence on financial grounds.
Aironi, who are bottom of the Pro12, external, are expected to complete the final three games of the current season.
"The federal council has decided unanimously to revoke the licence of Aironi Rugby at the end of the current season," the FIR announced.
Aironi was formed from a group of north eastern clubs and based at Viadana, but have struggled financially in the two seasons since joining the league in 2010 and are reportedly 4 million euros in debt.
The FIR are planning to nominate another team for the Pro12 next season, and will have to decide whether to go for a different side in the sport's heartland or re-examine their original plans to have a team based in Rome.
Previous plans to base a side in the capital also fell through for financial reasons.