Twelve English clubs call for vote over RFU leaders

NEWS: The 12 clubs in English rugby’s second tier have united in their demand for a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the Rugby Football Union.

The Championship clubs are demanding a Special General Meeting concerning their vote of no confidence in chairman Tom Ilube and chief executive Bill Sweeney.

Ampthill, Bedford Blues, Caldy, Cambridge, Chinnor, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster, Ealing Trailfinders, Hartpury, London Scottish, and Nottingham are the 12 teams who make up the current Championship.

This comes after it was revealed that Sweeney was paid a bonus of £358,000 (R8.1m) despite the RFU posting a record operating loss of nearly £40m.

Sweeney’s total remuneration was £1.1m (R25m) while he was also one of six executives who shared a bonus pot of £1.3m (R29.5m) during the time that they made more than 40 staff jobs redundant.

The clubs’ statement said they “could no longer stand by and allow the current situation, and the unaccountable decision making that led to it, to continue without challenge”.

Three former RFU chairmen – Martyn Thomas, Graeme Cattermole, and Brian Baister – called for Ilube, Sweeney, and “the relevant RFU board members” to resign.

They claimed “enormous and irreparable damage” had been done to the reputation of the RFU by the awarding of the bonuses.

The RFU responded to the call for a vote in a statement, that said: “The RFU ends this latest four-year cycle with a strong balance sheet, no debt, a robust cash position, and positive profit and loss reserves.

“We always see losses in a World Cup year due to fewer home games and increased costs associated with attending the RWC. These revenue impacts were anticipated, planned for, and are in line with expectations.

“The RFU has continued to invest strategically in the game at all levels and for the last two years, the RFU has been working hard to develop a redesigned Championship with the aim of developing a whole game solution to support the development of England Rugby.

“The objective has been to create a second tier that supports the English rugby system by developing young English talent, whilst supporting the clubs to become financially sustainable by growing local audiences, improving standards, and increasing the value of the league.

“Significant research has been undertaken and external independent advice sought to underpin the strategy. Minimum standards have been proposed along with increased RFU funding and a mechanic for promotion and relegation with tiered capacities for entry into the Premiership and a governance structure to give greater self-determination.”