Advertisement
Worcester Warriors' Sixways Stadium. Alamy Stock Photo

Worcester suspended from Premiership and Cup for rest of season

The Warriors’ Premiership future had been left in doubt after the club was partially liquidated on Wednesday.

WORCESTER HAVE BEEN suspended from the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, the Rugby Football Union has announced.

The Warriors’ Premiership future had been left in doubt after the club was partially liquidated on Wednesday, with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pursuing unpaid tax in the region of £6million (€6.8m).

“Following a meeting of the RFU’s Club Financial Viability Group today, the RFU can confirm the suspension of Worcester Warriors from the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup for the remainder of the 2022-23 season,” a statement from the governing body read on Thursday evening.

Wednesday’s ruling instructed that WRFC Players Ltd, a subsidiary of WRFC Trading Ltd through which players and some staff are paid, be wound up. A winding-up petition against WRFC Trading Ltd, which remains in administration, has been suspended.

Club captain Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence, Fergus Lee-Warner and Valeriy Morozov had already joined Bath on loan. Following the latest ruling, other players had their contracts terminated, along with members of staff, which saw British and Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe return to former club Edinburgh.

Administrators Begbies Traynor are seeking a buyer for WRFC Trading Ltd and are talking to two consortiums.

The RFU said the decision to suspend the team would allow “space and time” to prioritise the work to secure a deal for the long-term future of the club.

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kingshu
    Favourite Kingshu
    Report
    Oct 6th 2022, 6:30 PM

    If they are forced to sell their P Shares (worth about 15-20 million) it will be the end of them as a Premiership team. Hopefully they can keep them as it makes it more likely they will return.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Con Cussed
    Favourite Con Cussed
    Report
    Oct 6th 2022, 7:54 PM

    @Kingshu: I think it was pre-mature to drop them out of the Premiership entirely. What if someone buys them won’t they lose revenue if outside of the Premiership for 2022-2023? Will this increase their debt situation?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stuart Collins
    Favourite Stuart Collins
    Report
    Oct 6th 2022, 11:51 PM

    @Kingshu: Harry wants you over in the emerging ireland thread :)

    1
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry O'Callaghan
    Favourite Harry O'Callaghan
    Report
    Oct 7th 2022, 7:37 AM

    @Stuart Collins: I obviously live in your head rent free. Yikes haha

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Dwyer
    Favourite Simon Dwyer
    Report
    Oct 6th 2022, 8:02 PM

    That’s very sad. It’s not the fan’s fault. I hope they get a buyer soon

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stuart Collins
    Favourite Stuart Collins
    Report
    Oct 6th 2022, 7:50 PM

    OK I got one wrong last week.. Had Glasgow to beat ospreys… This week I’ll go Connacht, Lions, stormers, leinster, scarlets, ulster, bulls, benneton… Sa touring sides will struggle… Lions and sharks up against it..

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel