Cash-strapped Worcester cancel Glasgow friendly

NEWS: Crisis-hit club Worcester has cancelled their pre-season match against Glasgow on Friday in a further sign of the problems that threaten the team’s participation in the upcoming English Premiership season.

Worcester Director of Rugby Steve Diamond took to social media on Wednesday to post a statement confirming the friendly would not take place because his club’s players and staff remain unpaid.

“It is unethical for professional players to play a full-on game with the risk of injury and the real possibility of no employment to follow,” said the statement.

Worcester’s co-owner Colin Goldring revealed to employees on Tuesday that it was unlikely payroll for August would be met because the club’s finances have been frozen by British tax authorities who have issued a winding-up petition.

“Together we have been forced to take the hugely frustrating and disappointing decision not to travel to Inverness for our pre-season fixture against Glasgow Warriors on Friday,” the statement added.

Worcester’s opening match of the new English top-flight term is against London Irish on September 10.