Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has likened Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill to storybook character Pinocchio in the continuing row over the transfer of Martin Castrogiovanni.
Cranking up the stakes ahead of tomorrow's potentially explosive Heineken Cup quarter-final, controversial figure Boudjellal said Cockerill has a "nose that grows" in response to comments made by the Leicester boss at Tuesday's club press conference.
Boudjellal said at the start of the week that Castrogiovanni's proposed transfer to the Top 14 side was now off after Leicester had been asking for too much money for their iconic prop.
But Cockerill countered that by saying a deal was done between the clubs months ago and that nothing had changed in the interim with regards to their demands for compensation.
"Simon Cohen (Tigers chief executive) went to Toulon a couple of months ago and spoke to Mourad face to face," said Cockerill.
"They had a discussion and, in principle, did a deal that everyone was happy with. That has not changed at all - neither ethically or financially."
Boudjellal has now hit back by telling La Province newspaper: "It was never agreed between us.
"He came to see me and made me an offer that I thought was too high.
"Therefore, I made a counter-offer that he refused.
"With regards to this this story, Richard Cockerill has a nose that grows!"
Cloudy skies greeted the Leicester Tigers squad as they prepared for tomorrow's match by having their team run at the Stade Felix Mayol this morning.
Elsewhere in this port town, some of the expected 2,000 Tigers supporters who are expected to make the trip to the south of France began arriving.
Toulon are putting on an all-day party next to the stadium today with attractions for children, food and drink and a large screen which will feature both of today's Heineken Cup quarter-finals.
The forecast for tomorrow's game is set for clear sunny skies and temperatures of 19 degrees.
Leicester have named an unchanged team from the one that beat Northampton 36-8 last weekend.
Cranking up the stakes ahead of tomorrow's potentially explosive Heineken Cup quarter-final, controversial figure Boudjellal said Cockerill has a "nose that grows" in response to comments made by the Leicester boss at Tuesday's club press conference.
Boudjellal said at the start of the week that Castrogiovanni's proposed transfer to the Top 14 side was now off after Leicester had been asking for too much money for their iconic prop.
But Cockerill countered that by saying a deal was done between the clubs months ago and that nothing had changed in the interim with regards to their demands for compensation.
"Simon Cohen (Tigers chief executive) went to Toulon a couple of months ago and spoke to Mourad face to face," said Cockerill.
"They had a discussion and, in principle, did a deal that everyone was happy with. That has not changed at all - neither ethically or financially."
Boudjellal has now hit back by telling La Province newspaper: "It was never agreed between us.
"He came to see me and made me an offer that I thought was too high.
"Therefore, I made a counter-offer that he refused.
"With regards to this this story, Richard Cockerill has a nose that grows!"
Cloudy skies greeted the Leicester Tigers squad as they prepared for tomorrow's match by having their team run at the Stade Felix Mayol this morning.
Elsewhere in this port town, some of the expected 2,000 Tigers supporters who are expected to make the trip to the south of France began arriving.
Toulon are putting on an all-day party next to the stadium today with attractions for children, food and drink and a large screen which will feature both of today's Heineken Cup quarter-finals.
The forecast for tomorrow's game is set for clear sunny skies and temperatures of 19 degrees.
Leicester have named an unchanged team from the one that beat Northampton 36-8 last weekend.
