RFU: Calls for ‘radical change’ as Bill Sweeney faces no confidence vote after bonus scandal causes ‘reputational damage’
RFU chief Bill Sweeney and an insert of Lions Gate at Twickenham Stadium.
The RFU Council has announced that a law firm will conduct an independent review following the backlash over chief executive Bill Sweeney’s salary this year.
Sweeney and chairman Tom Ilube will face no confidence votes in February next year after a revolt from grassroots teams, the RFU’s own referees’ union and Championship clubs.
This comes after the RFU’s annual report revealed that Sweeney was paid £1.1m in the year of last accounts at a time when the organisation lost nearly £40m and made 40 positions redundant.
Controversy
According to BBC, a special general meeting must be held within 45 days if the motion for a no confidence vote receives 100 signatories with the publication reporting that it has already attracted the support of 187 clubs – more than enough to put Sweeney and Ilube’s future on the line.
Earlier this week, National 1 clubs signed a scathing open letter criticising the major failures in governance and stated that the “RFU Council and Board are complicit both in the lack of accountability and governance the member clubs expect them to exercise.”
While the RFU Council has confirmed that an independent review will take place, it is expected that written notice is expected to be served before the end of the week and the RFU will possibly stage an SGM before the conclusion of the Six Nations.
RFU Council statement
A statement from the RFU council on Wednesday evening read: “Council, including the Council Elected Directors, met this evening to discuss concerns within the game that have been raised since the Annual Report and Accounts were published. As a result of those concerns, Council has confirmed there will be an immediate independent review of the circumstances that led to the LTIP being introduced and executed. The review will be undertaken by independent law firm, Freshfields.
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“Council recognises the reputational damage that has been done to the sport over the past month and is committed to rebuilding trust with our member clubs. Council has called for a radical change in the way that the RFU communicates, setting out clearly all the work that is being done to address the issues that clubs have raised about the challenges in the game. Council also recognises the importance of visible and proactive leadership and the RFU President will be meeting with the Chair and Chief Executive tomorrow (Thursday) to agree a way forward.”
Rob Udwin, RFU President, added: “One of Council’s clear responsibilities is to hold the Board to account. Tonight’s meeting and its outcomes is a clear demonstration of this process in action.”
“Council is aware of suggestions of a potential vote of confidence. This meeting was not a meeting with voting rights,” the statement concluded.
