FRANCIS Baron believes that the RFU is in serious financial difficulties which will undermine rugby union in England for the foreseeable future unless it takes drastic action.
The former RFU chief executive says this should involve axing the £200 million PGA funding paid currently to the Premiership clubs, and calling an SGM for RFU Member clubs to approve any new PGA agreement.
Baron argues that the RFU’s finances have been so badly mismanaged that if the eight-year PGA agreement signed in 2016 is replicated when it is renewed in 2024 the governing body will simply be financially unsustainable.
With the new PGA negotiations well advanced, Baron says that the stakes could not be higher, and because any new PGA agreement will have huge effects on the entire game, it has to be put to an SGM for approval, or rejection, by the RFU’s member clubs.
Baron comments: “The game is losing confidence in the RFU Board’s management after a series of poor decisions and agreements – and as any new PGA will have enormous ramifications for the whole game it must therefore be put before an SGM for the members to vote on. This is required by best corporate governance practice to which the RFU is committed.”
This call for an SGM follows The Rugby Paper exclusive three weeks ago when a quarterly report by the RFU’s chief financial officer, Sue Day, revealed a huge financial loss of £50 million for the 2022-2024 period.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 21, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 21, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.