London Irishman grants RFU a stay of execution

The Irish must also prove they have funding to meet the club's 2023/24 commitments, whether or not the US consortium is taken over. completed. Photo: Shutterstock/Danny Loo

The London Irish were granted a final stay of execution after the players applied directly to the Rugby Union.

The Irish have until 4pm June 6 to pay the remainder of staff wages after owner Mick Crossan paid 50 percent of May's wages on Wednesday. The club must also prove the availability of funding to meet the club's 2023–24 commitments, whether or not the takeover by an American consortium is completed. If they fail to comply with these conditions, the club will be suspended from the entire structure of the English league and become the third club to be excluded from the Premier League this season after the demise of Wasps and Worcester Warriors.

Inside and outside the club is very there is little certainty that the takeover will take place at this stage, but the RFU granted an extension to «respect the wishes of those most affected» after repeated lobbying from players and staff who were paid $50. percent of their wages at approximately 4:30 pm, just minutes before the financial viability group RFU Club met to decide the future of the Irish.

The group has yet to receive any documents from potential buyers, who have repeatedly broken their promises and left the players in the dark. This drew the ire of Paula Carter, RFU Board Member and Chairman of the Club's Financial Viability Working Group, who was remarkably outspoken in her condemnation of both the club and the buyers.

“This is deeply upsetting for everyone. staff, players and fans that there have been months of multiple deadline violations,” Carter said. «We are extremely disappointed that the club has so far funded only 50% of the salaries of staff and players, however we must respect the wishes of those most affected.»

«Deadline at 16:00 June 6 is final and we have added a condition that the club must also fulfill its contractual obligations to its employees by paying the wages for May in full.”

This is the second time the RFU has pushed back its supposedly tough deadline to accommodate takeover delays. The deadline was initially set for Tuesday before a 24-hour delay was announced on the condition that wages be paid in full, and a consortium led by former sports agent Alfred «Chip» Sloan provided key financial information.

Neither one nor the other. some of these requirements were met, but, nevertheless, the bank was postponed for at least another week. The RFU was firm that there would be no more wiggle room as Tuesday would be the final deadline for the club to pay the remaining wages and also prove the club had enough working capital to meet the club's commitments for at least the 2023-24 season. whether that is through current ownership or a consortium.

The RFU statement added: «If the club fails to meet these conditions, it will be suspended from the Premier League (and other competitions) for the 2023-24 season to avoid a scenario where the club goes bankrupt mid-season, with relevant and substantial impact on players, staff and fans, and the rest of the league.”

Suspension of the Irish will almost certainly result in the club going into administration. Crossan intended to finance Ireland only until March, but he always had to reach into his pocket while the American consortium played for time. It was revealed on Tuesday that he promised to pay May's full salary only to make an 11-hour reversal at a meeting where players were told to accept a 50 percent cut without telling their agents to keep the club. Many see this as a form of emotional blackmail.

Whether or not the remaining wages are paid, most figures in the game are bracing for the worst as several Premier League clubs surround high-profile talent striker Henry Arundell and winger Tom Pearson. However, for most of the squad, the club's suspension will come at the most inopportune moment, as most Premier League clubs have already completed recruitment for the 2023-24 season.

Many top clubs would like Henry Arundella, but wouldn't it be too late for many now? Credit: Getty Images/David Rogers

The Rugby Premiership will not consider giving clubs any additional salary cap caps for signing Irish players, the Telegraph Sport know. As a result, the lives of many players, staff and their families will be turned upside down. A charity fund is being set up between the RFU and the Rugby Premier League to help the hardest hit players.

If the Irish are sidelined, the Premier League will also accelerate its plans for a 10-team rugby league. top division. Implementing what many influential brokers hope will be the salvation of English rugby as it eliminates duplication with international rugby has come at a cost: the Premier League has lost 23% of its clubs this season.

There are also no guarantees that the league won't lose another club in the short term. Leicester Tigers, 2021-22 Premier League champions, needed a £13m cash injection to head off an administrative threat, while Newcastle Falcons cut their playing budget to the bone to remain solvent.