Worcester Rugby Future At Risk After Players' Contracts Terminated
Muhammad Irfan Published October 06, 2022 | 02:20 AM
London, Oct 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Oct, 2022 ) :Worcester's Premiership future is hanging by a thread after the club was partially liquidated on what director of rugby Steve Diamond labelled the "darkest day for English rugby".
Players and staff will have their contracts terminated after part of the Premiership Rugby club was wound up in the High Court on Wednesday.
British tax authorities are pursuing the club for unpaid tax of about �6 million ($6.8 million).
Judge Nicholas Briggs instructed that WRFC Players Ltd, a subsidiary of WRFC Trading Ltd through which players and some staff are paid, be wound up.
A winding-up petition against WRFC Trading Ltd, which remains in administration, has been suspended.
Despite hope that a buyer can be found, the club could face automatic relegation to the Championship due to being placed in compulsory liquidation.
Worcester's matches against Gloucester and Harlequins were cancelled on Monday.
Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Bill Sweeney said: "The RFU will continue to speak to the administrators, and potential buyers, during the course of the next 24 hours to understand the possibility of a buyer taking over the club in time for the men's team to participate in the Gallagher Premiership during season 2022-23." Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence, Fergus Lee-Warner and Valery Morozov have already joined rival Premiership club Bath on loan and others will follow them out of the door, along with members of staff.
Because they had not been paid for September, all players would have been able to leave on October 14, meaning that liquidation has brought their departure forward by nine days.
"This is the darkest day for English rugby," Diamond wrote on Twitter.
"We thought we could turn the tanker around but it's ended up like the Titanic, sadly. The ship has sunk, the captains are nowhere to be seen." Hill tweeted: "What an unbelievably sad day for everyone in Worcester.
"A club who meant so much to everyone has gone the direction none of us wanted it to. A place where I played my rugby from 14 years of age and met so many people who mean so much to me and my family." - 'Learn lessons' - The Rugby Players Association called for "lessons to be learned".
"The RPA is extremely saddened to hear of the liquidation of WRFC Players Limited," a statement read.
"We stand with all Worcester employees. Our immediate thoughts are with all the players and staff who have lost their jobs today due to this terrible situation.
"We will continue to support our members in all ways that we can throughout this hugely challenging and difficult time, as we have done since it became clear that the club was in financial trouble."There are fears that other English Premiership clubs could also face a bleak future -- the collective debts of all 13 Premiership clubs are estimated at more than �500 million.
Wasps, twice European champions, have announced their intention to appoint administrators after failing to meet a May deadline to repay �35 million in bonds, which helped finance their relocation to Midlands city Coventry from London in 2014.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Shaheed Jalil Andrabi remembered on his martyrdom anniversary
1 day ago -
Architectural grandeur of Mohabat Khan Mosque attracts visitors, archeology lovers
2 days ago -
Besant Hall cultural centre to hold programme in memory Pir Hassam din Rashdi
3 days ago -
USA beats Mexico 2-0 for CONCACAF Nations League title
4 days ago -
World urged to intervene for peace in Kashmir
4 days ago -
Undeterred resolve – only way to end economic woes
5 days ago
-
Organic Food: A booming trend in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
5 days ago -
From Soil to Harvest: Use of modern technology vital for agricultural renaissance
5 days ago -
Spring season offers glimpse into GB's natural beauty, cultural heritage
5 days ago -
Nation to mark decades’ long journey of resilience through annals of history
7 days ago -
23rd March: A historic day reminds Muslims’ heroic struggle for Pakistan
7 days ago -
Measures urged to recharge depleting water table: Experts
7 days ago