London Irish’s game against Exeter could be called off after failure to pay staff and players
London Irish’s final game of the season against Exeter could be called off after failure to pay staff and players despite promise of money from America… with Chiefs boss Rob Baxter in limbo over whether Saturday’s Premiership clash will go ahead
- Doubts have been raised over London Irish’s match against Exeter going ahead
- Saturday’s game may be canceled due to insurance coverage concerns
- Further slowdowns in wages have led to fears that a proposed buyout is in jeopardy
Doubts have been raised over London Irish’s last game of the season going ahead as players and staff still await deferred monthly wages following another meeting and more promises of money being on its way from America.
The club gathered workers at their Hazelwood training ground in Sunbury-on-Thames for a late morning update on the current situation amid fears a proposed buyout of the Exiles is in jeopardy.
Again, the message was that, despite banking problems in the United States, money is being transferred late to cover payroll – but the Irish squad, management and backroom staff have been hearing much the same thing for days now and the un- delay has led to increasing tension.
With three days to go until the final game of the season, at home to Exeter at Brentford, the slow progress of the club’s long-awaited purchase is sounding alarm in the power aisles of English rugby following the collapse of Worcester and Wasps last autumn .
With pay not yet received, there’s even speculation that the game could be canceled due to insurance coverage concerns.
The London Irish players and staff have promised payment of their deferred wages
Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby, has asked for advice, saying: ‘Here and now we need confirmation that the game is going ahead. I really hope that’s the case and that it works out. I don’t know more than you do now.’
Sources have urged Mail Sport that the deal goes ahead and that the new buyers – who are keeping a low profile but are represented by former Premiership Rugby chief Howard Thomas – will be present at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
But until the final pay installments are received and until the buyout is fully confirmed, there is an understandable near-panic mood among club staff and supporters alike.