London Irish suspended from Premiership due to financial troubles as deadline for takeover passes
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Updated 06/07/2023 at 08:45 GMT
London Irish have followed Worcester and Wasps in exiting the Premiership due to financial troubles. Irish had been given an extension to complete takeover talks with a US consortium or show they had funds to compete next season, but the deadline passed and they have been suspended by the Rugby Football League and will not be able to compete in any league next season.
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London Irish have been suspended from the Premiership after failing to prove they have the finances to operate in the 2023/24 campaign.
The ruling means Irish will not be able to participate in any league next season.
They are the third Premiership club in the last 10 months to exit rugby’s top division due to financial troubles, following the demise of Wasps and Worcester.
Irish, who finished fifth in the Premiership last season, had been given an extension to complete takeover talks with a US consortium or show they had funds to compete next season.
However, the deadline passed on Tuesday and the club have now been suspended, having failed to pay staff and players in full for May.
The Rugby Football Union said in a statement: “The decision was taken after six months of talks to take over the club failed to materialise and to provide certainty to staff and players, thereby allowing them to seek alternative employment.
“The move also provides clarity to other clubs in the league and prevents a situation where the club goes into administration part way through a season.”
The news could mean a 10-team Premiership next season.
RFU CEO Bill Sweeney said: “This is desperately sad news for everyone who is part of the London Irish community as well as all the players, fans, staff and volunteers for whom this club means so much.
“Working alongside Premiership Rugby, the RPA and London Irish over recent months, our collective first priority has been to do the utmost to secure the long-term viability of the club and the protection of its players and staff.
“To achieve this, it was imperative that transparent evidence of funding be presented to us. This would have been either by the proposed buyers undertaking to provide all required working capital to meet the club’s obligations for at least the 2023/24 season; or the club providing evidence that it would continue to fund its operations throughout the 2023/24 season.
“Despite requesting this evidence over the last six months and receiving assurances on multiple occasions that we would receive proof of ownership and funds; it has not materialised.”
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