6 d. ago Bill Sweeney survives but unedifying saga has done English rugby little good

The chief executive of the Rugby Football Union survived a vote of no confidence by a decisive margin

Events

7 d. ago Bill Sweeney: Rugby Football Union chief executive survives vote of no confidence

Interim chairman Sir Bill Beaumont has described the outcome as ‘emphatic’ and ‘decisive’

Politics

7 d. ago Bill Sweeney survives vote of no confidence at Rugby Football Union SGM

Sweeney was supported by 65.82 per cent of the vote.

Politics

7 d. ago RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney survives vote of no confidence at special general meeting

The embattled Sweeney had been facing a revolt in the game

Politics

2 w. ago No green light: RFU threatens to leave Twickenham over Beyoncé spat

RFU wants license to stage more concerts and eventsSweeney moots move to Milton Keynes or BirminghamThe Rugby Football Union chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has threatened to take England away from Twickenham and move to Milton Keynes or Birmingham due to licensing restrictions after missing out on lucrative Beyoncé concerts at the stadium. Sweeney has warned that if Richmond council does not grant the RFU permission to stage more non-rugby events at Twickenham, “it would be a tough call for us” with moves away from London mooted.The RFU has previously explored buying half of Wembley and a move to a greenfield site in Birmingham, an acknowledgment that Twickenham is not fit for purpose. The RFU ultimately committed to its plans to revamp Twickenham, due to begin in 2027 and which could cost up to £663m, but needs to raise revenues by hosting more music concerts. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Commercial director behind £100m deal resigns in latest setback to RFU

Stuart Ramsey to leave next month for role in triathlonChair has also quit and chief executive is under pressureThe Rugby Football Union’s commercial director has resigned in another setback for the beleaguered ­governing body. ­Stuart Ramsey, who was ­instrumental in securing a £100m naming rights deal for Twickenham with Allianz last year and recently agreed a partnership for England teams with Apple, will leave the RFU next month for a new role in triathlon.Ramsey’s impending departure follows the resignation of the RFU chair, Tom Ilube, last December over an executive pay row with the news coming a few weeks before a special general meeting of the RFU, which will determine the fate of the chief executive, Bill Sweeney. Continue reading...

Economics