Swansea Council seeks high court injunction against WRU

Swansea Council has applied for a High Court injunction to halt the proposed deal between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and Ospreys owners Y11 Sport and Media to buy rivals Cardiff.

Ospreys are under threat of being removed from the professional tier with owners Y11 the WRU’s preferred bidders to buy Cardiff from the governing body.

The WRU wants to cut one professional men’s side in Wales with Ospreys now in the firing line if Y11 buy Cardiff.

Swansea Council, which wants to redevelop the St Helen’s ground for the Ospreys, said it is seeking an urgent court hearing, which could happen as soon as this week.

The decision to apply for the injunction was taken by the Council’s cabinet on Monday with cross-party support.

“The proposed deal between the WRU and Y11 to buy Cardiff Rugby would mean the end of the Ospreys as a men’s professional regional rugby team playing in the URC,” said a Swansea Council spokesperson.

“We are seeking an injunction to prevent this deal going ahead so that further discussions can take place while the current four team regional structure remains in place.

“The injunction would give all parties the opportunity to consider other options for the future of regional rugby in Wales.

“We believe this is a reasonable and proportionate action given the risk to the future of the Ospreys and the impact that would have on Swansea and the wider region.

“Players, supporters, residents, community clubs and local businesses stand together in support of the Ospreys remaining as one of Wales’ four professional regional rugby sides.”

In a separate action earlier this week, the council formally asked the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate the proposed deal between the WRU and Y11.