Executive director of the Rugby Football Union, Bill Sweeney, survived a vote of distrust at a special General Assembly, where he faced a call for his release from the Committee.
The game in the English rugby community has collected sufficient support by January to launch a special assembly, where a resolution was submitted to ask for Sweeney to fire the committee.
The first SGM RFU 20 years was held on Thursday in Twickenham, where a proposal to remove Sweeney received 206 votes and 466 voted against his departure and 36 restraints.
65.82 percent that voted to support Sweeney means that an administrator with the highest rage of English rugby faced a rebellion.
Although RFU executives were not obliged to act if the proposal was adopted, Sweeney’s position would be significantly weakened if the vote against him had left.
The prosthesis presented by RFU, which would give the community game more independence to run a local level game, 554 votes are supported, and 127 against and 24 restraints.
SGM had a mix of members of RFU members who attended others who almost participated. Total membership in RFU of about 1,300, 672 votes.
Beaumont: The time to divide is behind us
Temporary President Bill Beaumont described the outcome of the vote as “emphasized”.
“On the first proposal ahead, the message of our members is clear,” Beaumont said. “They voted for the vote of our executive director, Bill Sweeney, and I’m glad to see such a decisive outcome.
“I would also like to acknowledge the members who voted for the proposal – thank you for your voices and your perspectives. Every opinion is important and your worries are neatly hearing. Please now give you the opportunity to show your commitment to progress. We listen and take action.
“These last few months have not been easy for English rugby, where a lot has been played in the media. Now is the time to connect and that should not be repeated.
“Let’s continue together and focus on what we can achieve together and do to ensure that the Rugby Football Union is still progressing, evolving and leading the way to Rugby. The time for division is behind us. The time to cooperate is now.”
Voting on distrust “a huge call for waking up” for Rfu
Sky Sports News’ James Cole, thinking about the meeting:
“As for the future of Bill Sweeney as the RFU executive director, this will be considered a great victory. It was a great victory in terms of votes, 466 to 206, but that was the price. Now there will be a great surveillance director of RFU RFU and the sense of their salary and bonus.
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Sweeney faced voting on distrust that could be abandoned by the CEO of Football Union in Rugby to struggle for his future Twickenham
“Bonus Bill Sweeney reported £ 300,000 about losses of £ 30m that launched this special assembly.
“This could prove a seminar moment in terms of managing rugby management of the Alliance in this country, because the committee and executor were forced at the table by their members, many of whom are rugby clubs.
“They promised to give more power to regions, clubs, to hire wide clubs, communicate better and be more transparent.
“It’s all on the record and now they will go RFU to the account and they will have to deliver.”
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2025-03-27 18:30:00
