Bayonne scuppers Biarritz merger

Bayonne President Manu Merin dismissed a controversial plan to merge with historic Basque rivals Biarritz after threats were made against him and his family.


It was the second attempt to fuse the financially-troubled southwestern clubs after another failed bid in late 2013.


Banners hostile to the merger were displayed at the Chaban-Delmas stadium on Saturday as Bayonne lost 20-38 to Bordeaux-Begles, with threats also made against Merin and his family.


"Faced with such violence, to protect my family, the employees, I've decided to stop the talks," an emotional Merin told a press con…