London Irish Rugby Club, former tenants at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, have been suspended from the Premiership after they missed a deadline to pay their players and staff.
The club were given a deadline of Tuesday to complete a takeover, but have now been suspended from playing in any league next season after failing to meet that requirement.
RFU chief executive 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.”
“To achieve this, it was imperative that transparent evidence of funding be presented to us.
“This would have been either by the proposed buyers undertaking to provide all required working capital to meet the club’s obligations for at least the 2023-24 season; or the club providing evidence that it would continue to fund its operations throughout the 2023-24 season.
“Despite requesting this evidence over the last six months and receiving assurances on multiple occasions that we would receive proof of ownership and funds; it has not materialised.”
The Exiles were based in Reading and played their home matches at the SCL from 2000-2020.
After two decades in Berkshire, the club moved back to London to contest their home fixtures at the newly built Brentford Community Stadium from the start of the 2020/21 campaign.
A statement released by London Irish reads: “The Club can confirm that London Irish has received correspondence from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to confirm suspension for the 2023/24 season.
“The suspension will result in the Club being unable to compete in the Gallagher Premiership, Premiership Rugby Cup, and Heineken Champions Cup throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
“The Club continues to remain in active discussions with the RFU as to any circumstances that may result in the suspension being lifted.”
