Biarritz, Béziers and Dax docked points for 'creative accounting'

The standings have been shaken up in the Pro D2 league. Dax, in excellent form in recent weeks with four wins in five matches, have been docked five points for "non-compliance with regulations" and "inconsistencies and/or implausibilities in their budget." This heavy penalty drops the Landes-based team to 14th place with 16 points. Even worse, the Red and Whites are now edging closer to the relegation zone. Mont-de-Marsan, 15th and second-to-last, are only two points ahead.

Also sanctioned for "erroneous and/or fraudulent accounting and misappropriated funds" Biarritz and Béziers lost two points each but did not drop in the standings. Paradoxically, both teams even gained an additional position by benefiting from Dax's penalty.