Championship rugby clubs demand vote of no confidence
Championship clubs have united to request a special general meeting to discuss a vote of no confidence in Rugby Football Union (RFU) Chairman Tom Ilube and Chief Executive Bill Sweeney.
The news comes after three former RFU chairmen called for the resignations of the governing body’s senior leadership, following controversy over record financial losses and executive bonuses.
Last month, the RFU revealed a record operating loss of nearly £40m, while Sweeney, despite the financial shortfall, received a total remuneration of £1.1m, including a £358,000 bonus on top of his £742,000 salary. Sweeney was one of six executives who shared a £1.3m bonus pool, amid more than 40 redundancies across the union.
Reportedly, in an open letter seen by the BBC, Martyn Thomas, Graeme Cattermole and Brian Baister claim “enormous & irreparable damage” has been done to the reputation of the RFU.
In a statement responding to the Championship’s call for a vote, the RFU 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.”
The twelve Championship clubs, Ampthill, Bedford Blues, Caldy, Cambridge, Chinnor, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster, Ealing Trailfinders, Hartpury, London Scottish, and Nottingham, have collectively called for the meeting, with full backing from the Community Clubs Union.
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