“Never been so ashamed” – Super League CEO lashes out after loss

After Catalans Dragons suffered a shock Super League defeat to London Broncos on Sunday, the club’s president Bernard Guasch hit out and spoke of his ‘shame’ at the result.

London Broncos were 11/1 underdogs to win but that’s just what they did as they saw off Catalans with a 12-10 victory at Plough Lane courtesy of tries from Jacob Jones and Jarrad Bassett.

Full-back Josh Rourke saw his try-scoring run end but he picked up man of the match for an exceptional defensive display, although that award could have realistically been handed to any London player, such was the impressive nature of their performance.

Meanwhile, Catalans simply couldn’t make use of their territory with the hosts batting back multiple sets on their own line and the Dragons having two tries disallowed.

It’s arguably the biggest shock of the Super League season and one man who was also shocked was Catalans president Bernard Guasch who has slammed his team’s performance.

Super League CEO slams side after defeat

As reported by L’Independant in France, Guasch has spoken about his ‘shame’ in the loss in a brutal statement.

He confessed that he had “never been so ashamed in 25 years of presidency”.

Moreover, he even seemed to suggest that both players and coaching staff were in the firing line with “decisions to be made”, possibly suggesting that Steve McNamara could find his job in danger.

Guasch said: “I’ll think about the decisions to be made on Friday night depending on the performance at Huddersfield, or at the end of August. And I’m talking about the coaching staff, but also the players. I’m very angry and I won’t say more for the moment.”

Catalans have seven games remaining in Super League to ensure their play-off berth, however, one of those comes against seventh-place Leeds Rhinos where a loss would be devastating.

After making the Grand Final in 2023, it’s been a difficult season in 2024 with signings at the club not working out and poor form in the middle of the season seeing them left in such a precarious position.

They’ll take on Huddersfield Giants on Friday night in what now looks to be a must-win game after Guasch’s comments.