LONDON – Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) board chairman Tom Ilube said on Dec 20 he was stepping down, after it emerged that huge bonuses were paid to CEO Bill Sweeney and other executives despite the English governing body posting a record operating loss.
The RFU Council has set up an immediate review into the circumstances surrounding the bonuses, after it was shown that Sweeney was paid a total of £1.1 million (S$1.9 million) in the last accounting year.
The sum included a £358,000 bonus that was part of a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for top executives. Under the plan, agreed after the executives took pay cuts during the Covid-19 pandemic, five others received a total of £1 million.
RFU reported a loss of £37.9 million over the same period, and made more than 40 staff redundant in September.
“I have decided to step down from my role as Chair of the RFU as recent events have become a distraction from the game, but will stay on to ensure a smooth transition to a new Chair as soon as one is in place,” Ilube said in a statement shared by the RFU.
“I’m pleased that an independent review of the LTIP scheme has been commissioned and look forward to its findings once completed.”
British media reported on Dec 18 that Sweeney and Ilube were set to face a confidence vote after almost 200 member clubs and bodies demanded a special general meeting, to be held in February. REUTERS
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