Rugby Football Union suspended Worcester Warriors from all competitions and put them into administration, and they cannot play in Premiership or Allianz Premier 15s.
Bill Sweeney, the chief executive of RFU, on announcing the decision of Worcester suspension, also declared that the whole business model of rugby union in England needs to be improved.
RFU had demanded financial requirements, insurance guarantees, a credible plan to take the club forward, and the ability to meet the payroll, which Worcester failed to do. Due to failing RFU demands, Worcester Warriors are out of the Premiership, and the women’s team is out of the Premier 15s.
Steve Diamond, Worcester’s head coach, had already given his squad the week off because he knew the deadline would not be complete, and the players were told to gather their belongings before Sixways was closed on Monday.
Due to RFU’s this decision, Premiership Rugby has a considerable headache over its fixture schedule, with broadcast commitments potentially affected. Wasps are also in a difficult situation because they filed a notice of their intention to appoint administrators last week.
Worcester can only survive and return to the Premiership on this thing if the administrators swiftly find investors who can satisfy the financial requirements laid down by the RFU.
Jim O’Toole, the club’s former chief executive, is interested in investing in Worcesters, but the process would take at least a couple of weeks, due to which Worcester’s Premiership match against Harlequins on 8 October is expected to be called off.
The DCMS said we have agreed to the directors’ request to place the club into administration so that the club gets the best possible chance of survival and protects a significant taxpayer investment.
If Worcester will be able to return to the competition, it remains to be seen what state the squad would be in, as the players cannot train at Sixways, and they can hand in a notice of their intention to leave.
Eddie Jones, the England head coach expressed his sympathy for Worcester, and he named a 36-man squad for a mini-training camp next month.
In the coming weeks, a precise decision is expected in which several Premiership players considering more lucrative moves abroad next season.
