RPA statement: Worcester players' employment rights

The RPA have issued a statement with the involvement of Worcester in the looming Gallagher Premiership season remaining in serious doubt after players and staff were told they are unlikely to be paid on Wednesday. The club’s finances have been frozen by HMRC while they chase unpaid tax and the prospect of the August payroll obligation being met is remote, according to an email leaked on Tuesday that was apparently written by co-owner Colin Goldring.

Any players with wages still due on Wednesday can serve notice to Worcester to rectify the outstanding payment. If this has not happened within 14 days then the player can terminate the contract, which also takes 14 days, and leave as a free agent.

The only way a player can depart immediately is because of an insolvency event such as administration or if an agreement with the club is reached. The Rugby Players’ Association are helping to advise squad members. “The RPA has communicated with the players today [Tuesday] and will continue to do everything in our power to support them,” read a statement about the worrying situation at Worcester.

“Things are moving very quickly and we are liaising with all stakeholders to keep across all the relevant information. We are ready to support players with enforcing their employment rights, and in all other areas, and especially in the event that they are not paid in line with their contracts.”

A winding-up petition has been issued by HMRC, with owners Goldring and Jason Whittingham looking to find new buyers while hoping to avoid administration. Worcester’s opening match is against London Irish on September 10 and they face Glasgow in a pre-season friendly in Inverness on Friday. The Premiership launch takes place a day earlier.

The suggestion of a merger with Wasps, who are also facing financial difficulties, was rejected at the Ricoh Arena, but their Premiership rivals have ruled out any attempt at taking advantage of Worcester’s plight, coach Lee Blackett stating: “It’s not dog-eat-dog, there is respect in the game. We would never look to do that. If those guys don’t have a job and there is no club then that is a different story, but we have too much respect for Worcester as a club to be doing that.”

The leaked Worcester email that was reportedly written by Goldring read: “We are conscious of the short window now available for us to solve the end-of-month payroll situation, no doubt you are all anxiously awaiting an update on payroll and we wanted to keep you as informed as we possibly can.

“As you will all no doubt know, the club’s bank accounts were frozen shortly after the HMRC petition was issued meaning we are not able to access those funds to help met payroll. Therefore we do not have the money at this moment to fulfil payroll tomorrow [Wednesday].”