Premiership Rugby is in the midst of a major financial crisis, with six-time champions Wasps becoming the latest club to be suspended from the league after announcing they had been forced to pull out of their upcoming game against Exeter Chiefs and were "likely" to enter administration in the coming days.
The announcement comes after Worcester Warriors, who entered administration last month, were suspended for the remainder of the season and informed they would be relegated. Worcester's administration was sparked by a £6m unpaid tax bill owed to HMRC, with owners Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring slammed for 'letting down' the players and fans by centre Ollie Lawrence.
Wasps are also expected to be relegated once they officially enter administration, with the club facing a winding-up order from HMRC over £2m in unpaid taxes. However, their financial issues are more long-standing, with a £35m bond taken out to fund their controversial 2014 move from High Wycombe to Coventry the start of their problems.
