National League 1 clubs in England have called for a major overhaul of rugby union's governance following a record financial loss and hefty executive bonuses.
National League 1 clubs have united to join mounting calls for an overhaul of the way rugby union is run in England amid the ongoing crisis over record financial losses and executive bonuses . In an open letter, the twelve clubs criticize major failures in governance and leadership and a lack of accountability before an emergency meeting of the Rugby Football Union ( RFU ) Council on Wednesday.
Championship and grassroots clubs have already called for a debate leading to a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the game's governing body. Last month the RFU announced a record operating loss of nearly £40m, but chief executive Bill Sweeney earned £1.1m, after being awarded a bonus of £358,000 to go with his salary of £742,000. Sweeney was one of six executives who shared a bonus pot of £1.3m at a time when the union is making more than 40 people redundant. The letter stated: 'The RFU Council and Board are complicit both in the lack of accountability and governance the member clubs expect them to exercise, and, alongside the RFU leadership, in the lack of clarity and strategy for the development of rugby in England. 'We note there will be an emergency meeting of the RFU Council on 18 December. We call upon the members of the RFU Council to use this as an opportunity to instigate an independent review of the management of rugby in England. 'The National League 1 clubs will act individually when it comes to arguing for or voting on any no-confidence motions that might arise either at that meeting or at any subsequent of the RFU.' The letter is signed by Blackheath FC, Darlington Mowden Park RFC, Dings Crusaders RFC, Esher RFC, Leicester Lions RFC, Plymouth Albion RFC, Rams RFC, Richmond FC, Rosslyn Park FC, Rotherham Titans RUFC, Sale FC, and Sedgley Park RUFC. This month RFU president Rob Udwin convened a meeting of the RFU's Council 'to allow us to have a frank and open discussion about the finances of the union
Rugby Union RFU Financial Crisis Governance Executive Bonuses
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