Rebels force RFU vote on under-fire Sweeney

After his critics forced the governing body to convene a crisis summit, clubs across England will decide whether or not to accept Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney’s future.

The RFU had rejected a petition on Thursday, saying it lacked the number of signatures needed to trigger a meeting of its near 2, 000 clubs and organisations.

The RFU, according to the rebel movement against Sweeney, claimed it had received the support needed under constitutional laws and would reappend its paperwork to demonstrate it.

A significant vote against him from members would increase the pressure, even though Sweeney still has the backing of the RFU board, which ultimately decides his future.

The RFU respects its members’ right to request an SGM and have their opinions heard, according to a statement from the governing body. “The notice to request an SGM contained a significant number of inaccuracies.

After the crisis, which was fueled by anger over bonuses paid to Sweeney and other executives, led to Tom Ilube resign from his position as interim chairman of the RFU. Bill Beaumont, who served as World Rugby chair until last year, was reinstated.

Beaumont has written to the RFU’s affiliated clubs to defend and unite the organization’s members. However, he acknowledged that there are legitimate concerns about a bonus scheme that led to Sweeney receiving £1.1 million in a year that also saw record financial losses for the RFU, job losses, and England’s men’s team’s run of form.

“Objectively, we should ask whether English rugby, in the aftermath, was managed effectively”, wrote Beaumont. “Having seen all countries wrangle the same problems, I can say with confidence, in comparison to many other countries, the RFU has come out of this period very well.

No loans from the government or World Rugby were made to the RFU. However, it did successfully negotiate support for community clubs and made it easier for professional clubs to obtain government loans, which ensured rugby received more financial support than any other sport in England.

I’m committed to supporting the effort that is needed to “reset and come together as a united game.”

In January and February, Beaumont, the former England captain, will travel to meet with grassroots clubs.

“We all want winning men’s and women’s England teams, and this can’t happen without a thriving community game”, he added in his letter.