The controversial merger between Racing 92 and Stade Français might not go ahead after all.

According to the French press, a final decision will likely be made on Friday.

On Monday, the clubs announced that they would merge to form a new club next season.

Players from both clubs were shocked by the news and on Tuesday, angry Stade Français players went on strike in protest.

At a meeting on Wednesday morning – described by Racing president Jacky Lorenzetti as 'heated' – players union leader Robins Tchale-Watchou said that the only way to end the strike was to stop the merger. He described the atmosphere in the meeting as 'very tense' and said the players felt they had been 'betrayed'.

When asked by reporters if he still had confidence in the merger, Stade Français president Thomas Savare said, 'We'll see'.

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Photo: Baptiste Fernandez/Getty Images