Three past chairpersons of the Rugby Football Union have demanded the complete resignation of the union’s current leadership team, following the controversy surrounding unprecedented financial losses along with the salaries and bonuses awarded to its top officials. In a year that saw the union report an annual deficit nearing £40m, the RFU’s chief executive, Bill […]
Three past chairpersons of the Rugby Football Union have demanded the complete resignation of the union’s current leadership team, following the controversy surrounding unprecedented financial losses along with the salaries and bonuses awarded to its top officials.
In a year that saw the union report an annual deficit nearing £40m, the RFU’s chief executive, Bill Sweeney, received a total remuneration of £1.1m, which includes a salary of £742,000 and a bonus from a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) totaling £358,000.
This has triggered significant outrage throughout the sport after it was revealed that other executives also benefited from a generous bonus pool, even while the RFU recently laid off over 40 staff members. Amid rumors of potential unrest within the union, three former high-ranking figures from Twickenham have released a letter declaring that the situation for senior officials has become “untenable” and that the entire episode has inflicted considerable harm on the RFU’s reputation.
Martyn Thomas, Graeme Cattermole, and Brian Baister, who led at Twickenham at different points between 1998 and 2011, have collectively joined former chief executive Francis Baron in criticizing the current leadership, asserting that significant reform is necessary.
“The recent RFU announcement of a record-setting net loss of £42m to reserves for a national sports governing body, alongside substantial pay raises and bonuses awarded to the chairman, CEO, and other executives merely a month after the announcement of 42 layoffs, has caused irreparable damage to the RFU’s standing with member clubs, employees, and supporters,” the joint letter stated.
“We would respectfully propose that the chairman’s, CEO’s, and relevant RFU board members’ positions are now untenable. We feel a new leadership team is essential to forge a new path, initiate the rebuilding process, and restore respect, and hence we implore those in charge to act honorably.”
RFU president Rob Udwin has also stirred controversy by suggesting to council members that the negative media coverage was a result of “media spinning” and sensationalism. Reports indicate that there are efforts underway to gather enough support for a special general meeting aimed at instigating a no-confidence vote against Tom Ilube, the RFU chair, along with calls for Sweeney’s dismissal.
