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'This is a disgrace' - Insurance withdrawn from Worcester players

Tom Howe of Worcester Warriors looks dejected after defeat in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between London Irish and Worcester Warriors at Brentford Community Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Brentford, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Worcester Warriors have had to withdraw medical insurance from players at the behest of their insurance providers, further denting hopes of a rapid return to the field for the ailing club.

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Already in administration, the crisis appears to be deepening at Sixways, with each day bringing a new low for players, staff and supporters.

On Friday the owners even took a swipe at the club’s players and supporters. Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham issued a statement in response to an interview that Worcester captain Ted Hill did with ITV Central, in which the back row said an apology was required “from not only the owners, but also from other people high up from the company as well”.

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A proceeding statement from the owners attacked the players for not accepting big enough pay cuts during the pandemic and hit out at the club’s fans for not attending the stadium in sufficient numbers for the club to remain viable.

Now the club have had to withdraw medical insurance from the players after the policy was ‘placed on hold’. Former Worcester prop and current player agent John Andress blew the whistle on Twitter, providing a screengrab of a message sent to the players by the club.

The message reads: “Afternoon all, the situation at the club is ever changing. It’s only right to update you to let you know that the players’ medical ‘insurance’ policy has now been placed on hold.

“Any medical costs arising from injuries that are sustained from this point forwards (incl costs associated with ongoing issues) will not be paid by insurers. Much effort is going into reversing the
situation.

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“Unless personally insured, sessions/rehab etc are now undertaken at your own risk. At this moment in time, med & conditioning staff will continue to provide services at the club.”

It effectively means that players who wish to continue training as the club looks to right itself will do so knowing that if they are injured, they will not be covered by the club’s insurance. It could potentially limit what training players are willing to partake in, relative to the risk involved.

Furthermore, players who are currently undergoing treatment for previous injuries that are funded with the club’s insurance policy will not have their treatment paid for.

It’s a further dent in any hopes that the club will be back playing anytime soon.

With other clubs – in the UK and overseas – waiting in the wings to take their pick of the best athletes at the club, the decision may well push players further towards the exit.

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All Warriors players and staff were due to be paid on Friday, but the PA news agency confirmed that did not happen, meaning that players are now entitled to start looking elsewhere for employment.

There is some hope. Two consortiums, one involving former Worcester chief executive Jim O’Toole, are understood to have expressed interest in buying the club out of administration.

additional reporting PA

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Comments

2 Comments
A
Alex 783 days ago

Wind this club up, immediately allow the players and other staff to pursue other employment. If the players are in contention for an England call up and need to seek roster spots in URC or France, RFU shouldn't hold it against them.

Let O'Toole or whomever buy the brand, the ground etc and restart it as a phoenix club. Knowing what we know now, this club should have never even started the season, and going farther back, these chuckleheads should have never been allowed to purchase the club.

At this point to continue to drag this on is cruel to these people employed by the club, as well as embarrassing to the league and unfair to the other 12 teams in this league who have no idea if their fixtures vs Worcester will ever happen, or what will become of the results from the 3 matches Worcs played.

A
Alex 783 days ago

Absolutely appalling

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