152 clubs demand Bill Sweeney’s removal amid RFU leadership crisis and record losses

English rugby faces a major RFU leadership crisis as grassroots clubs and refereeing bodies rally together to demand the removal of RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney. Spearheaded by a coalition of 152 clubs, Championship teams, and officials, the revolt accuses Sweeney of financial mismanagement, poor leadership, and neglecting the foundation of the sport.

Central to the uproar is Sweeney’s £1.1m compensation package, which critics say came at a time of record financial losses for the RFU and widespread redundancies. The rebels also blame Sweeney for failing to rescue liquidated clubs such as London Irish, Wasps, Worcester, and Jersey Reds, all of which were left to collapse under his watch.

A disastrous rollout of tackle-height rule changes in 2023 and millions spent on terminated coaching contracts further fuelled accusations of ineptitude. The collective described Sweeney’s leadership as fostering “a loss of confidence and trust” among the volunteers who keep grassroots rugby alive.

The rebellion has garnered support well beyond the 100-member threshold required to trigger a Special General Meeting (SGM). However, the RFU dismissed the motion on technical grounds, claiming the petition was invalid. In a statement, the governing body said: “The letter contains a number of inaccuracies. It does not comply with the relevant requirements and is therefore invalid as a requisition for an SGM.”

The rebels, however, remain defiant. A spokesperson for the collective vowed to resubmit their motion, saying, “The RFU can play for time all it likes, but this is a mass movement by a stronger, united team. Splitting hairs about the rules is merely postponing the inevitable. It would surely be better for the RFU to respect the wishes of more than 150 members seeking accountability.”

The coalition’s frustrations also highlight the broader crisis within English rugby. Financial instability, poor decision-making, and a perceived disconnect between grassroots organisations and RFU leadership have tarnished the sport’s image. Many in the rugby community feel that Sweeney’s tenure has failed to address these challenges effectively, leading to calls for sweeping changes.

As the rebels prepare to resubmit their paperwork, the RFU faces mounting pressure to engage with its disillusioned members. A vote on Sweeney’s future could not only determine his fate but also mark a turning point in the governance of English rugby.

The crisis underscores a deep divide between the sport’s administrators and the grassroots organisations they are meant to support. For now, the battle lines are drawn, and the fate of English rugby’s leadership hangs in the balance.