London Irish suspended from Premiership due to financial troubles as deadline for takeover passes

London Irish have been suspended from the Premiership after failing to prove they have the finances to operate in the 2023/24 campaign. The ruling means Irish will not be able to participate in any league next season.

Ad They are the third Premiership club in the last 10 months to exit rugby’s top division due to financial troubles, following the demise of Wasps and Worcester. PremiershipSaracens win sixth Premiership title with 35-25 final win over Sale27/05/2023 AT 16:10 Irish, who finished fifth in the Premiership last season, had been given an extension to complete takeover talks with a US consortium or show they had funds to compete next season.

However, the deadline passed on Tuesday and the club have now been suspended, having failed to pay staff and players in full for May. The Rugby Football Union said in a statement: “The decision was taken after six months of talks to take over the club failed to materialise and to provide certainty to staff and players, thereby allowing them to seek alternative employment.

“The move also provides clarity to other clubs in the league and prevents a situation where the club goes into administration part way through a season.” The news could mean a 10-team Premiership next season. Saracens win sixth Premiership title Wasps denied place in Championship RFU CEO Bill Sweeney said: “This is desperately sad news for everyone who is part of the London Irish community as well as all the players, fans, staff and volunteers for whom this club means so much.

“Working alongside Premiership Rugby, the RPA and London Irish over recent months, our collective first priority has been to do the utmost to secure the long-term viability of the club and the protection of its players and staff. “To