Swansea Council has formally asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate the proposed takeover of Cardiff Rugby which could lead to the loss of professional men’s rugby in Swansea.
Y11, the owners of Swansea-based Ospreys, are currently in discussions with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to acquire Cardiff Rugby.
The Council’s concerns focus on the proposed reduction of professional teams from four to three, the process for allocating licences, and the potential for one ownership group to control two Welsh clubs.
It believes the proposals risk unfairly restricting competition, reducing choice for supporters, and damaging Swansea’s economy.
The Council is urging the CMA to investigate urgently and to consider interim measures to pause the proposed deal.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The WRU’s proposals would mean the end of the Ospreys as a professional men’s rugby region. This would be a huge blow to our city – economically, culturally and emotionally.
“Players, supporters, residents, community clubs and local businesses all deserve a fair and transparent process from the WRU.
“We cannot accept a situation where decisions are made behind closed doors to remove one of Wales’s four professional teams and leave Swansea without top-level rugby.
“We are asking the CMA to step in urgently to protect competition and give our city and region the fair treatment it deserves.”
The Ospreys are a key contributor to Swansea’s economy, while the club’s community programmes encourage participation at grassroots working with community clubs, schools and supporting health and wellbeing.
The Council has already committed £1.5 million preparing St Helen’s for redevelopment linked to the Ospreys maintaining its status as one of Wales’s professional men’s rugby sides.
