RFU Chief Bill Sweeney Survives No-Confidence Vote Pushed By Championship Clubs And Referees Union

Chief executive of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Bill Sweeney has survived a no-confidence vote after disillusioned clubs called for a special general meeting. 

A motion calling for the RFU board to sack Sweeney was voted down, despite a swell of discontent among lower-league clubs and stakeholders.

Key supporters of the motion included the referees’ union and the 12 Championship clubs in English rugby’s second tier.

There has been strong criticism of Sweeney’s perceived failings, with the RFU branded ‘out of touch’ by many.

In recent seasons, three former Premiership clubs have gone bust (London Irish, Wasps and Worcester Warriors), along with 2023 Championship winners Jersey Reds.

Meanwhile, the RFU posted record losses of £37.9m last year, while laying off more than 40 staff.

Yet Sweeney, 67, pocketed £1.1m in earnings – nearly four times as much as a Championship club receives in central funding each season.

Bill Beaumont Backs Sweeney After RFU Vote

The obvious anger and frustrations of many were not echoed by interim RFU chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont.

He has called on those behind the no-confidence vote to accept the result and move on – something unlikely to calm tensions.

“I am pleased to see such a decisive outcome,” said Beaumont.

“I trust that those who supported this motion will honour and accept the result on this tonight and lets work forward to make changes.

“Let’s stand together, and focus on what we can achieve together, and work to ensure that the Rugby Football Union continues to thrive, evolve, and lead the way in rugby.

“The time for division is behind us. The time for collaboration is now.”

Grassroots Clubs Fighting Back

A second motion, demanding governance reforms within the wider English game, was met with widespread support at the meeting.

But the man who introduced the motion to remove Sweeney says the purpose was not to cause further unrest.

Paddy McAlpine is the co-chair of the Whole Game Union and chair of Chichester Rugby Club, who play at level six of the English game.

“We bring this motion not for disruption, but because we believe change is necessary and overdue,” McAlpine said.

“The game is being let down by those entrusted to lead it. It is no longer just flawed – it is dangerously inadequate.

“This is not just a vote – this is a turning point, the chance to say we want a better future for English rugby.”

But after an hour-long debate between various board, club and council members, the motion lost by 466 votes to 206.

Who Is Bill Sweeney?

Former British Olympic Association CEO Bill Sweeney was appointed by the RFU in May 2019.

His business career included corporate roles with Puma, Adidas, Shell, Mars and Unilever.

With strong connections to Richmond FC, Sweeney has also spent time involved with Rosslyn Park.

He first made controversial headlines after it was revealed he had been awarded a bonus payment of £358,000 last year, despite record losses for the RFU.

RFU Figures Call For Togetherness After Bill Sweeney Vote

Former international referee Wayne Barnes – now an RFU board member – was one of those who defended Sweeney.

He argued that removing the RFU chief would solve nothing and leave a hole at the top of English rugby.

Barnes said: “He [Sweeney] takes all of those relationships, that experience and that influence with him.

“The void would be filled by someone who does not know the landscape.”

Barnes also suggested the majority of referees did not support removing Sweeney. This was despite the RFU Referees’ Union tabling the motion.

“This is a time for rugby to now come together,” he added. ”

I really hope we can start to celebrate the enormous positives there are in the game.”

But he did accept that changes must be made to heal the rift between the RFU and its member clubs.

“There is clearly a lot of work to be done to restore our relationship with the community game,” said Barnes. “We need to focus on restoring trust.”