Bill Sweeney, chief executive of the RFU, was the target of a rebellion from the RFU board last week. Photo: Dan Mullan/Dan Mullan
The Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby League are accused of ignoring the wishes of the Championship and «working against the interests of the game» of second-tier clubs below the international and top tier.
In a letter to the editor of The Telegraph, which can be read in full below, Alistair Bowe, vice-chairman of the Championship and chairman of Nottingham, said his clubs were «fed up» with the lack of consultation from those discussing the new professional gaming partnership (formerly known as the agreement), the contents of which remain » secret» for second-tier English rugby clubs.
Earlier this week, Telegraph Sport exclusively reported that 30 RFU board members had rebelled against the leadership of chief executive Bill Sweeney and chairman Tom Ilube. The group questioned the governing body's ability to afford the new professional playing partnership — a multi-year agreement between Premier Rugby League, clubs and the RFU to govern the professional game — costing £128 million over the next four years. .
In response to a column in Telegraph Sport by former England and Nottingham hooker Brian Moore bemoaning the time of the uprising, Bowe argues that the incompetence of the RFU leadership forced the uprising to happen at the first opportunity.
In your columns, Brian Moore, the man, whose playing record my club is immensely proud of, challenges those who dare to challenge the powers of English rugby,” Bowe wrote. «He says they shouldn't have made this challenge at the time they did — during the World Cup.»
“The RFU leadership dictated the timing of any uprising… trying to push through a new eight-year Professional Game Partnership — in alliance with Premier League Rugby — that would reform the professional game exactly the way they want, but not like Championship clubs. , as well as most of the gaming community in leagues below the second level are unwilling.
“Without consultation and ignoring, ordinary participants in the game said: “Enough!” They were not prepared to sit politely on their hands and watch the Rugby World Cup being used as cover for an unnecessary acceleration of reform which — to the extent that any of its secret content may be known — appears to be working against the interests of the rest of the world. . playing below the elite level of the national team and the Premier League.»
Bowe stressed that «neither the Championship nor any of its representatives signed the letter», which was submitted by almost half of the RFU board, which expressed concerns about the leadership of Sweeney and Ilube, but that in his opinion the letter concluded call for an explanation. about the motives behind the executive's actions, and about the type of transparency and accountability that is expected from a representative body such as the RFU.»
«Those who represent the interests of the rest of the game are fed «They have spoken.»
«Those who represent the interests of the rest of the game are fed «They have spoken.» p>
The RFU, Premier League Rugby and the Professional Games Council responded in a statement. joint statement: “Regular meetings are held with representatives of the championship management, including Mr. Bowe. We openly discussed strategy and direction for the professional gaming partnership; including hosting a Premier League Cup involving Championship clubs and discussions about the creation of a Premier League 2, as well as discussions with domestic leagues. We welcome any constructive contribution to this partnership, which seeks better solutions for both the community game and the top two levels of rugby in England.»
Alistair Bowe's letter to the Telegraph in full
letter in full: » The mass participants in the game were not consulted and were ignored.”
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