London Irish suspended from Gallagher Premiership and all leagues by RFU due to financial issues

A third club in just seven months suspended from the Premiership due to financial issues as London Irish suffer same fate as Worcester Warriors and Wasps before them; a proposed takeover by American consortium has not happened, with no evidence of financial ability to continue next season

Last Updated: 06/06/23 8:16pm

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

James Cole explains why London Irish have been suspended from all RFU leagues

James Cole explains why London Irish have been suspended from all RFU leagues

London Irish have been suspended from the Gallagher Premiership and will not be able to play in any RFU league next season after failing to prove they have the funds to operate in the 2023/24 campaign.
Last week, Irish were given a six-day extension for either a takeover to be completed – they have been in talks with an American consortium – or to show they had the money to continue under their current ownership for the coming season.
That deadline elapsed at 4pm on Tuesday and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has now suspended the Exiles from all leagues after failing to meet their commitments to pay staff and players in full for May.

“This is desperately sad news for everyone who is part of the London Irish community as well as all the players, fans, staff and volunteers for whom this club means so much,” Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU, said.
“Working alongside Premiership Rugby, the RPA and London Irish over recent months, our collective first priority has been to do the utmost to secure the long-term viability of the club and the protection of its players and staff.
“To achieve this, it was imperative that transparent evidence of funding be presented to us. This would have been either by the proposed buyers undertaking to provide all required working capital to meet the club’s obligations for at least the 2023/24 season; or the club providing evidence that it would continue to fund its operations throughout the 2023/24 season.

London Irish become the third Premiership club in just seven months to suffer suspension due to financial issues

“Despite requesting this evidence over the last six months and receiving assurances on multiple occasions that we would receive proof of ownership and funds; it has not materialised.
“In the event that it would ultimately not be possible to save London Irish, our second priority has always been to avoid the club entering an unplanned insolvency mid-season. This was to prevent the huge disruption to players, staff, and fans, as well as on the remainder of the league and sporting integrity of the Premiership and Championship, that we witnessed with the demise of Wasps and Worcester.
“In the absence of transparent proof of reliable long-term funding, and for the duty of care for all involved at the club, the sad decision has now been taken to suspend the club from RFU leagues.”

Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options

London Irish released a brief statement reading: “The club can confirm that London Irish has received correspondence from the Rugby Football Union to confirm suspension for the 2023/24 season.
“The suspension will result in the club being unable to compete in the Gallagher Premiership, Premiership Rugby Cup, and Heineken Champions Cup throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
“The club continues to remain in active discussions with the RFU as to any circumstances that may result in the suspension being lifted.”
Irish, who finished fifth in the 2022/23 campaign, just three points adrift of the play-off spots, are the third team to be suspended from the Premiership in just seven months, with Wasps and Worcester Warriors both collapsing due to financial problems.
Wasps have since had their return to the second-tier Championship revoked after a takeover, due to certain agreed conditions with the RFU failing to be met, while Worcester are no closer to returning to competition, with the future of the club’s existence hanging in the balance.
Irish are £30m in debt and last year owner Mick Crossan said he would sell the club for £1 if he could. On Friday, the club were also served three winding-up petitions from the Government’s tax authority HMRC, due to unpaid taxes of £1m.

Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options

Crossan’s failure to pay the May salaries in full la …

Read more…….