English club rugby was plunged into turmoil last night when Worcester Warriors were suspended from all competitions.
Time finally ran out on the debt-crippled club along with patience in the owners and their litany of false promises.
Their failure to meet a 5pm deadline to show they had insurance cover, had paid staff and possessed a “credible” plan to take the club forward, led the Rugby Football Union to pull the plug.
It means Steve Diamond’s team being hooked from the Gallagher Premiership and Warriors’ women suspended from their league and cup. Twickenham chiefs issued a statement stating that the “structure, governance and business model of rugby union in England” must improve.
RFU boss Bill Sweeney said: “We appreciate this is incredibly difficult news for fans, staff and players.
“We met with players and staff last week to explain why this action would be necessary and regrettably without assurances in place we have had to take this action to protect everyone’s best interests.”
A glimmer of light emerged on a dark day for the sport with confirmation from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport that they had agreed to a request to place WRFC Trading into administration.
Such a move would mean the club being demoted to the Championship but enable interested parties to mount a rescue bid without having to cover existing debts running in excess of £25 million.
Former Worcester chief executive Jim O’Toole and business partner James Sandford have long insisted they are ready to do so and Sandford tweeted: “Time to strap in tight!!”
O’Toole urged Warriors fans to “keep believing”, adding that the club “CAN and we believe WILL be rescued”.
For now, however, the lights are out at Sixways and Saturday’s Premiership game at Gloucester has been replaced by a Cherry and Whites open training and signing session at Kingsholm.
