GLASGOW’S pre-season friendly match against Worcester Warriors, which was supposed to be played in Inverness on Friday night, will not go ahead as planned. The cancellation is a consequence of the financial turmoil at the English Premiership side which led to staff not being paid their wages this month.
In a statement published on Twitter, Worcester Director of Rugby Steve Diamond explained –
“Together we have been forced to take the hugely frustrating and disappointing decision not to travel to Inverness tomorrow for our pre-season fixture against Glasgow Warriors on Friday, as players and staff wages remain unpaid.
“The squad have worked hard throughout pre-season and are bitterly disappointed to be put in this position.
“We express our deep sorrow to our hosts Glasgow Warriors who we hope understand the unique and worrying situation we find ourselves in.
“We would like to thank Adam Hewitt for his overwhelming generosity in offering to fund the trip.
“It simply isn’t feasible to play when futures remain uncertain and decision had to be taken today. It is unethical for professional players to play a full on game with the risk of injury and the real possibility of no employment to follow.
“We thank everyone for their continued support and for uniting behind us all – together.”
The Glasgow squad has already travelled to Inverness for the match and have stated that their schedule community activity will continue, including tomorrow’s Open Training Session at Highland RFC.
“We are currently assessing if any alternative options are achievable and will be in touch with more information as soon as possible,” said a statement issued by the club.
“Although we are disappointed by this outcome, we recognise the challenging situation Worcester currently find themselves in and wish them well.
“We thank you for your patience in the meantime.”
West of Scotland topple Stirling County as youth season gets up and running
https://warriors.co.uk/videos/warriors-owners-take-your-questions/
I wonder if this is the beginning of the bend for the pro set up in England. Only sustained by huge losses from benefactors and trying to blindside the taxman it would appear.
https://warriors.co.uk/videos/warriors-owners-take-your-questions/
The English Premiership is certainly round the bend and it might well be the beginning of the end too Dom.
Unsustainable clubs running on handouts from ultra generous benefactors in a league which has been corrupted by the cheating of one particular club for at least seven of the last nine seasons – with those that orchestrated the cheating still in place – is hardly a desirable or sustainable model is it?
If football’s Financial Fairplay Rules (now updated) had been applied to English Rugby, quite a few Premiership clubs could have suffered humiliating demotion.
“Loans”, obtuse “sponsorship” deals, etc are probably a veritable minefield.
SRU backing wrong horse again….how surprising….
Squad game v Ayrshire Bulls – yet still charging £20 entry fee.
and disrupting a supposedly serious tournament to play this friendly.
Pre-Season game against Edinburgh Instead? Send the academy boys with the some seniors to London Scottish and the main squad up to Inverness