London Irish Suspended from League After Takeover Fails
Players and taxman hadn't been paid by deadline
The club played its home fixtures at the GTech Community Stadium in Brentford. Picture: London Irish
June 7, 2023
It looks probable that there will be no rugby played at the GTech Community Stadium next season as time was finally called on London Irish.
Once again, a deadline to pay players and other staff set by the RFU had been missed and no verification had been provided that funds were available to enable a prospective takeover.
Current owner Mick Crossan had offered to cover half the payroll and, reluctantly, the sports governing body had extended the deadline to 6 June. However, it later emerged that HMRC had issued a winding up order for the club due to non-payment of taxes. When the RFU failed to get the assurances it required, it was therefore decided to suspend the club from rugby’s premiership for the coming season.
Sources close to Mr Crossan had claimed up to the final moments that the American consortium looking to acquire the club had the funds and were unable to complete due to technical issues. The investors were a group of former NFL and NBA stars who had set up a fund to invest in sports related businesses.
The suspension could end the participation in professional rugby for London Irish for the foreseeable future. Other clubs such as Wasps and Worcester who failed this season have been told that they would have to start in the tenth tier of the sport and work their way back up to the Premiership.
This leaves to top English league with just ten teams after the authorities refused to consider an application from Ealing to take the place in the Premiership they had earned through promotion. The coming season will begin with a cup competition involving Premiership and Championship sides to ensure a full fixture list.
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: "This is desperately sad news for everyone who is part of the London Irish community as well as all the players, fans, staff and volunteers for whom this club means so much."
Brentford FC has not commented on the loss of its playing tenant but sources close to the club had previously commented that the wear and tear of rugby matches had resulted in expenses that significantly ate into any extra revenue derived from London Irish so it is thought unlikely that its departure will have a meaningful impact.
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