1
Cardiff Blues lost out on Judgement Day but enjoyed a more favourable judgment at the London High Court
Cardiff Blues’ season ended badly last weekend, as their Judgement Day loss to Ospreys at the Principality Stadium extinguished any hopes they had of qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the club had a more favourable judgment in midweek when their financial situation at the end of a horrible season blighted by the Project Reset uncertainty was cleared up.
The tax man in the UK had been making moves to wind up the club over an unpaid HMRC bill, but a insolvency judge was told at the London High Court that the debt had been settled.
The sum of money involved was not disclosed, but a HM Revenue & Customs’ barrister told Judge Sebastian Prentis that the debt had been paid in full by Cardiff Blues Ltd.
He asked for the tax authority’s winding up petition to be dismissed and the judge dismissed the petition.
Cardiff Blues ward off winding up order over tax bill in High Courthttps://t.co/FB1bpW2Dqr
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) May 1, 2019
Following the resolution of the case, a Cardiff Blues spokesperson told walesonline.com: “Cardiff Blues were behind on a month 10 payment due to a delay in scheduled incoming monies. As with all sports organisations, HMRC did not wait long to begin proceedings.
“The outstanding debt was paid in full on April 5, and the winding up order was dismissed at London’s High Court on May 1. Subsequently, all other HMRC liabilities since are fully up to date.”
ADVERTISEMENT
?Catch up on an incredible day of action across five countries where derbies produced drama, tries and passports to the #GuinnessPRO14 Final Series by checking our our @instagram story
?? https://t.co/4nO5z7evjr ?? pic.twitter.com/xWbHhfZ4qh
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) April 27, 2019
Last year’s Challenge Cup champions finished up their PRO14 campaign in fifth spot in Conference A following the loss of their final three matches, the defeat to Welsh rivals Ospreys last Saturday coming after disappointing setbacks in Ireland versus Munster and Connacht. That left them finishing with just 10 wins in 21 matches.
They have been affected by some contract wrangles in recent weeks, out-half Gareth Anscombe deciding his club future will be better served by playing for Ospreys next season while veteran Nick Williams is struggling to nail down a contract extension.
WATCH: Wales’ Warren Gatland announces his World Cup training squad
