The Rebels have hit back at claims that they are on the verge of a financial crisis and unable to afford the costs of a Super Rugby home final.
The Australian newspaper reported on Thursday night that the Rebels would be financially crippled should they finish on top of the Australian Super Rugby conference and earn the right to a home final.
Melbourne would reportedly have to pay a visiting team $75,000 in the event of hosting a final, an amount the story said would push the organisation to the brink.
The report also suggested the club was charging community teams up to $500 for any appearance by a Rebels-contracted player at training session.
In an open letter published on the Rebels website on Friday afternoon, chairman Paul Docherty "categorically rejected" the report.
"The Melbourne Rebels are aware of various media reports released this morning questioning the Club’s financial stability," the statement read.
"We have worked very hard to establish a clear identity of what our club stands for and constantly strive to make Melbourne proud.
"We know that like all of our competitors in the Australian sporting marketplace, we operate in a very cluttered market which is a constant challenge to our business. We have a very experienced Board of Directors who are all working hard to ensure we are solvent and successful long-term."
"At the same time, we are concerned by some of the misinformation within today’s media reports.
"We categorically reject that the Rebels receive any financial payment from our local Rugby clubs for any contracted players participating in local club matches or appearances.
"It is very disappointing that we even have to address such unsubstantiated rumours which are entirely in conflict with the entire ethos of our Club and code.
"We remain in constant dialogue with Rugby Australia regarding our business and high performance plans and remain very confident of a bright future for the Melbourne Rebels."
Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson admitted finances were "increasingly tight" but they were confident of their sustainability to the end of the current broadcast deal, ending after 2020.
"There is no doubt that things are becoming increasingly fairly tight, but I'm extremely lucky that I have an extremely supportive and proactive board," he told The Australian.
"We had our monthly meeting yesterday (Wednesday) and we have some plans in place and we are working away. We are confident of what we have in the short term. The longer-term, post-2021, no one can crystal ball that."
