The Rugby Football Union (RFU), English rugby’s governing body, is facing an unprecedented grassroots rebellion aiming to oust its top executives over high pay despite record losses. Fury is mounting among rugby clubs across the country who are demanding the removal of RFU CEO Bill Sweeney and chairman Tom Ilube.
Campaign for Special General Meeting Gains Steam
Led by the Rugby Football Referees’ Union and with backing from Championship clubs, a campaign is underway to gather enough support to force a special general meeting of the RFU. The rebels are finalizing plans to table a motion calling for the dismissal of both Sweeney and Ilube.
Insiders believe up to 300 clubs may sign on, easily surpassing the 100 required to trigger the special meeting. If successful, Sweeney would have just 14 days to respond and 45 days to convene the meeting, likely in February 2024.
Anger Over Executive Pay Amid Losses and Layoffs
The rebellion erupted after revelations that CEO Bill Sweeney was paid £1.1m last year, including a £358,000 one-off bonus, while other executives shared nearly £1m in payouts. This came despite the RFU suffering a record £42m loss in reserves and making 42 staff redundant.
“They have to go. All Championship clubs are aligned, clubs have just had enough. Even the Premiership clubs want them gone.”
– RFU rebellion source
Emergency Meetings and Confidence Votes
RFU president Rob Udwin hastily called an emergency council meeting Wednesday night to quell the growing rebellion. While an immediate review of executive bonus schemes was launched, it may not be enough to prevent a formal emergency meeting, which could lead to a vote of no confidence in Ilube and pressure to sack Sweeney.
The 62-member RFU council is particularly incensed that while extensively briefed on the organization’s losses, they were given little warning of the controversial pay hikes for top brass. One well-placed source summed up the prevailing sentiment: “They have to go. Clubs have just had enough.”
Independent Review and Radical Change Needed
Faced with the brewing storm, the RFU council announced an immediate independent review by law firm Freshfields into the circumstances behind the executive pay controversy. In a statement, the council recognized the “reputational damage” suffered and vowed “radical change” in how the RFU communicates and addresses issues raised by increasingly disgruntled member clubs.
With the campaign for a special general meeting picking up steam and the possibility of a no confidence vote looming, the coming weeks and months could bring major upheaval to the top ranks of English rugby’s embattled governing body. As one source put it, “Clubs have just had enough” – and they appear determined to force Sweeney, Ilube and the RFU leadership from power.
