Worcester Warriors must provide assurances they can safely host this weekend’s game against Newcastle Falcons amid financial issues and come up with a credible plan in five days to avoid suspension, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on Wednesday.
Worcester are looking for new owners after they were served a winding-up petition over unpaid tax, reportedly worth more than six million pounds ($6.8 million), in August. They owe the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) 14 million pounds after taking out a long-term loan during the coronavirus pandemic.
The club were set to be suspended from all competitions if they had failed to give assurances regarding the receipt of a General Safety Certificate from the local authority and written confirmation of medical provision.
They met last week’s deadline to provide assurances which allowed their game against Exeter Chiefs to go ahead and have until midday on Thursday to ensure correct conditions for the Newcastle clash on Saturday.
“However, all parties (the RFU, Premiership Rugby and DCMS) remain concerned that the lack of available funds will not allow the club to be sustainable over the long term,” England’s RFU said in a statement.
“In particular, the RFU is aware that insurance cover is only in place until midnight on Sept. 26.
“Therefore, the RFU has written to Worcester to confirm they will be suspended from all competitions… if the club cannot evidence insurance cover in place, availability of funds to meet the monthly payroll and a credible plan to take the club forward, by 5 p.m. on Sept. 26.”
The team’s owners said this month they had found three interested buyers and the deal was moving quickly.
Former England Deaf international Matt Gilbert and Worcester backs and transition coach Jonny Goodridge have come out of retirement to help the club begin their Premiership Rugby Cup defence against Gloucester on Wednesday.
Worcester have lost their last two Premiership matches against London Irish and Exeter.
($1 = 0.8822 pounds)
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