Wasps demoted to bottom of rugby pyramid as debts spiral to £95million

18 May 2023 , 17:14

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Wasps have been denied the chance to play in the Championship (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Wasps completed their slide from top to bottom last night when the former champions of Europe were dumped at the foot of English rugby’s playing pyramid.

Seven months after folding with debts totalling £95 million, they failed to hit an RFU deadline to meet commitments required to reinvent themselves in the second tier Championship.

RFU boss Bill Sweeney said: “This is not the outcome anyone in rugby wanted and all those involved with the club will be deeply disappointed.”

The RFU granted permission to play in the Championship in December following a takeover by new owners, but has now been forced to remove them from the league structure.

“This is not the outcome anyone in rugby wanted and all those involved with the club will be deeply disappointed,” RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said.

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“We have worked with the new owners for the past six months to try to ensure that a robust plan could be put in place for the club to continue to play in the Championship while players and staff could receive monies owed to them.

“The RFU is working closely in partnership with Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players Association to ensure players are supported.

“We are also working together at pace to ensure the game emerges from this challenging time on a strong and sound financial footing.”

Alex Spink