The Welsh Rugby Union is being urged to make immediate governance changes in the wake of accusations of a "toxic" culture, sexism and misogyny.
Former employees aired their alleged experiences publicly, calling into question the culture which has been fostered at the WRU. Former head of Welsh women's rugby Charlotte Wathan told a BBC investigations programme that a male colleague joked in front of others in an office that he wanted to "rape" her, while another woman said she was bullied while working at the governing body. There was also an accusation of racist language being used by an employee.
Amid a call from the Joint Supporters Trust of Wales' four regional sides for chief executive Steve Phillips to be ousted, the governing body has also been urged to act immediately to ensure effective governance for the future.
Back in October, the WRU failed in its attempt to give the board the option to appoint an independent figure as the organisation’s chair. The motion was presented at the WRU’s AGM, when Rob Butcher was chair, as the union sought to modernise its governance. But the special resolution required a voting share of 75% from the clubs present, but it only managed 65.4%. Butcher stood down soon afterwards, with Ieuan Evans assuming the position. He remains supportive of the motion.
At present, the WRU chair is elected from the eight directors on the board who have previously been put in their position by votes from district representatives on the WRU council. Opting for an independent chair would give the board the option to look outside for an individual with the skills required to be at the head of circa £100million business. The WRU chief executive, PRB chair and two independent non-executive directors also sit on the board.
Now, in the wake of damaging accusations about the WRU's culture, Cardiff Rugby has reaffirmed that rugby is a game for everyone and called on Welsh rugby's powerbrokers to act.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Cardiff said: "Cardiff Rugby are distressed and appalled by allegations of discrimination and misogyny at the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), revealed by a BBC Wales investigation, which broadcast on Monday evening. There is no place in sport, or indeed anywhere in society, for discrimination of any kind and Cardiff Rugby condemn the reported culture within our national governing body.
"We acknowledge and support the calls previously made by WRU chair Ieuan Evans to evolve the governance of the organisation to ensure the board are 'truly representative' and 'skills-based'. The board of Cardiff Rugby unanimously now call upon the WRU and its board to implement this with immediate effect.
"We all have a responsibility to affect positive change and Cardiff Rugby will not tolerate any kind of discrimination. We reaffirm our own commitment to ensuring rugby is a game for all people, of all backgrounds, genders, abilities and beliefs and continue to strive to make rugby a safe, inclusive and fair place for all."
It comes after Scarlets and Dragons both released statements expressing their concern at the claims, with the Llanelli outfit saying the programme was "a reminder for everyone involved in rugby that our game has to drive out misogyny or discrimination of any kind. The allegations are for others to consider but the Scarlets wish to reaffirm our commitment to making rugby a safe and fair place for everyone". Later in the evening, their Gwent counterparts took to Twitter to release an almost identical message.
The WRU said Ms Wathan's allegations "remain unsubstantiated following a thorough independent legal investigation". It said the allegation was investigated and not upheld by an independent lawyer hired by the WRU after Ms Wathan raised the matter and others as part of a wider grievance. The WRU also said the claims of bullying made by another female employee were investigated, and that she made no formal grievance while working there.
Former Professional Rugby Board chair Amanda Blanc, chief executive of insurance giants Aviva, also warned the WRU it was facing a diversity and equality "ticking timebomb" and that it had a "deep rooted" culture and behavioural problems. The WRU said it was committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and had investigated claims.
Meanwhile, the Joint Supporters Group, representing the official supporters' organisations for the four professional Welsh teams, have called on WRU chair Evans to relieve chief executive Steve Phillips of his duties after expressing grave concerns about both the allegations and state of rugby in Wales as a whole. They also call for an independent inquiry into the governance and leadership at the WRU.
The letter, published online on Tuesday, said: ""Our game in Wales is now facing an unprecedented crisis at all levels. The lack of agreement on budgets for the professional teams is causing immeasurable anxiety for the players and their livelihoods, many thinking of leaving Wales for contracts in other nations. Who can blame them?
"It was on 14 December that the PRB verbal agreement was announced. However, the full agreement has not been completed and all four professional clubs cannot initiate unconditional contract offers for retaining or recruiting players for the 2023/24 season. Meanwhile, you have overseen several costly changes to the coaching set up of the men's national team during the same period.
"The BBC programme was distressing to watch and brings about many questions about what is happening inside the WRU. With this in mind, we will be calling on the Welsh Senedd Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee to initiate an inquiry into the governance and leadership of the Welsh Rugby Union during Steve Phillips' tenure."
Phillips was formally appointed to the role of group chief executive of the WRU in March 2021. He was previously interim chief executive officer of the Welsh Rugby Union from October 2020, after serving for 13 years as group finance director. Ms Wathan's formal grievance letter to the WRU being dated a month later in April 2021.
The letter adds: "Many of our membership are also involved in the community game, some as players, some as coaches, and there the problems are all too apparent with playing numbers dwindling. We have all seen recent statements from officials at the professional clubs lamenting the lack of action from national governance and warning of threats to the very existence of the teams.
"Rugby union is too important to us as a nation to flounder due to the inability to find an equitable solution, much needed to ensure the future of the professional game in Wales. Equally, the solution must be one within which the professional clubs have the foundations with which to be successful on and off the pitch. Success of the professional clubs will thereby ensure the international team will thrive. Something every supporter of the game in Wales wants to see.
"We are mindful of the problems exacerbated by the recent pandemic which is why Welsh rugby needs good governance and a vision suited to the needs of a modern, international sport. In that vein, and in the interest of creating trust and understanding in the wider rugby public, we also urge transparency, which has been lacking for well over a year."
While the Welsh Government says the allegations of sexism and misogyny within the WRU are "deeply concerning", they said the matter should be dealt with by the governing body.
When approached by WalesOnline, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The issues raised in articles related to the ‘BBC Investigates’ programme are deeply concerning. Wales will not be a bystander to any form of abuse. We expect the WRU and other sporting bodies to provide safe environments for staff, players and children and young people who participate in the game at all levels. This is a direct matter for the WRU as it relates to their employment practices as an independent organisation. It is crucial that the organisation now demonstrates how its values are being consistently upheld by its actions.”
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