Bill Sweeney: RFU chief never considered resignation
Sweeney also dismissed speculation that he planned to ride out the storm and hope to resign following the successful hosting of the Women’s Rugby World Cup later this year.
The tournament, held in England, has seen record ticket sales and the Red Roses are favorites to win the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
“I saw something a while back that said I had some specific bonus tied to winning the Women’s World Cup – that’s not the case, that’s not true,” Sweeney said.
“If I wanted to resign, I would do it now and not wait until after the Women’s World Cup.
“I have some unfinished business here until the end of 2027. (England men’s head coach) Steve Borthwick is a great coach and we have a great squad of men and women.
“The place is buzzing and has a great atmosphere and I’d like to see that.”
Sweeney said that contrary to criticism of his time in charge, he was proud of the RFU’s financial position following the coronavirus pandemic.
The chief executive said last financial year’s record losses were down to the four-year cycle surrounding the Men’s Rugby World Cup, in which tournament years add extra costs while money-making autumn internationals are wiped from the calendar, and The number of participants increased dramatically. Utility and business costs.
He also defended his wages, which last year were £742,000 and bonuses of £358,000.
Sweeney said that while he unsuccessfully explored the possibility of deferring bonuses, it was the result of a plan to retain senior leaders during the pandemic and measure their performance against specific goals.
“When you are the recipient of something like an LTIP (long-term incentive plan), you don’t ask for it, you don’t design it, you don’t set the payment criteria for it,” he said.
“The payment was made against very clear criteria and 77 per cent of them hit the target, so part of what I mean is that it’s about delivering something to the level that we’re delivering.
“I don’t think we need to apologize for the program.”
Sweeney and other RFU officials will begin visiting grassroots clubs over the coming months in a bid to put their views forward at an extraordinary general meeting over his future.
Community Club Alliance founder Rob Sigley believes it’s too late for Sweeney to win over many in the sport who believe too much money is concentrated in Elite sports.
“We’re publicly calling for him to step down and for him to resign,” Sweeney’s Sigley said.
“He sits at the top and is part of those decision-making processes, and he’s accountable for it.”
