A grassroots campaign is gaining momentum to force the removal of senior executives at the Rugby Football Union (RFU), with plans being made to hold a special general meeting early next year. The motion, which aims to dismiss RFU Chairman Tom Ilube and Chief Executive Bill Sweeney, is gaining support from a broad coalition, including the Rugby Football Referees’ Union and Championship clubs. These groups are working to gather enough backing from clubs to trigger the meeting, with estimates suggesting that as many as 300 clubs could ultimately sign up far exceeding the 100 required to move forward with the motion.
The grassroots rebellion is largely driven by frustration over the high salaries and bonuses paid to RFU executives, despite the union’s significant financial losses. The RFU posted a record loss of £42 million and made 42 redundancies, yet Sweeney’s total compensation for the year to June 2024 reached £1.1 million, which included a one-off bonus of £358,000. This has sparked outrage across all levels of the game, with many feeling that the RFU leadership is out of touch with the financial struggles faced by clubs.
An emergency council meeting was convened to address the growing unrest. The meeting, arranged by RFU President Rob Udwin, was held in response to the uproar surrounding the executive pay packages. While Ilube and Sweeney were not present at the meeting, former chairman Andy Cosslett attended in an attempt to calm the situation. The RFU is now conducting a review into the executive pay structure, including long-term incentive bonuses, in an effort to quell the discontent. However, the threat of a formal vote of no confidence still looms.
The potential vote of no confidence could lead to the removal of Ilube and significant pressure on the board to dismiss Sweeney. If 20 council members demand an emergency meeting, it would trigger a formal vote within 28 days, with January 10th being a likely date for the gathering. The meeting would give council members the opportunity to call for a vote of no confidence, which, if successful, could prompt the board to take action against the executives.
The anger surrounding the issue is widespread, with many feeling that the RFU leadership’s actions have undermined the sport’s reputation. The council had been briefed on the union’s financial losses, but the substantial pay increases for executives were kept under wraps until they were revealed to the public. This has led to a sense of betrayal among clubs, with many questioning the priorities of the RFU leadership.
In an attempt to address the crisis, the RFU has promised to undertake an independent review of the circumstances surrounding the executive pay increases. The law firm Freshfields has been appointed to conduct the review, which is expected to examine the factors that led to the decision to award such high salaries and bonuses. The review is seen as a crucial step in rebuilding trust with the member clubs, many of whom feel alienated by the RFU’s actions.
The RFU has also acknowledged the reputational damage caused by the situation and has committed to improving communication with clubs. A statement from the council emphasized the need for radical changes in the way the RFU engages with its members, particularly in addressing the challenges facing the sport. The RFU President has vowed to meet with Ilube and Sweeney to discuss a way forward, with a focus on visible and proactive leadership to restore confidence in the union.
Despite these efforts, the grassroots campaign to remove Ilube and Sweeney is gathering steam. The support from Championship clubs and the Rugby Football Referees’ Union is seen as a significant sign of solidarity, and many believe that the executives’ positions are becoming increasingly untenable. As the situation develops, it is clear that the leadership of the RFU will face increasing pressure to respond to the concerns of the clubs and the wider rugby community.
