Rugby Football Union: MPs call for independent review
According to a group of MPs, candid executive compensation matches the demise of historical clubs and financial pressure on grass-roots games, which should prompt an independent review of the rugby soccer league.
David Wrench, father of Tiverton and Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour, played for England, Northampton and Harlequins in the 1960s, said the situation was “travesty” and “economicly unsustainable.”
She added: “The governance of the rugby league in this country is on a shaky basis – and it is clear that there are serious structural problems.”
“Changes must come. In order to make the game’s interest, the governing bodies must adapt.”
West Dorset Councilman Edward Morello added: “It is very important that the government step in and starts to study the governance of the game, otherwise there would be no game of domination.”
Premier League teams Hornets, London Irish and Worcester Warriors collapsed in the 2022-23 season, while the last set of accounts of the top clubs showed a collective loss of £30.5 million and net debt of over £300 million.
RFU Revealed its own record losses in November, The same account also shows that CEO Bill Sweeney’s total salary is £1.1 million, consisting of a salary of £742,000 and a bonus of £358,000.
Sweeney faced austerity vote on March 27, and members of RFU’s grassroots club decided whether to support his proposed reforms or demand his step down.
An RFU spokesman said the organization’s own comments should allow reporting before any government intervention was conducted.
“We agree that governance reform is a key part of building a better relationship between ourselves, our clubs and all stakeholders, and how it works in the game, their involvement and collaboration are stronger,” they said.
“That is why the RFU Commission has established a governance and representative reform review with a view to introducing a new structure with greater flexibility and greater decision-making, rather than today’s review. The review is ongoing and should be reported in the coming months.”
A football therapy bill that will establish an independent regulatory body for professional men’s games in England Advance is being carried out through parliament.
Congressman Stephanie Peacock, secretary of state for the Ministry of Culture, Media and Sports, said it has not yet planned to be on a similar scale in rugby.
“But we’re going to review everything,” she added.
