By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
London Irish RFC has been suspended by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Governing Body of the sport from the Premiership after missing a deadline to pay players and staff and has gone into administration.
This follows Worcester Warriors and Wasps, who suffered the same fate last year. The Premiership now compromises 10 teams who will play next season.
London Irish failed to secure financial backing from a US Consortium, who were considering a takeover of the Club, despite extended deadlines to do so.
Bill Sweeney, the Chief Executive of the RFU remarked as follows:
“This is desperately sad news for everyone who is part of the London Irish community as well as all the players, fans, staff and volunteers for whom this club means so much.”
The Club is reported to have debts of around £30 million and last week the Club was served with a Winding Up Petition by the UK Tax Authority, HM Revenue and Customs, in respect of unpaid tax.
The question arises which Club will be next, and the UK Government has appointed independent advisers to support elite Rugby Union Football.
Let us hope that this move will help to stop the rot, so to speak!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘