Exclusive: Conflicts with RFU Cause ‘huge strain’ on London Welsh Resources
April 2, 2013
The conflicts that Premiership rugby club London Welsh has had with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) have distracted from the day-to-day running of the club and strained the resources, the club CEO has said.
London Welsh were told their stadium was not suitable for Premiership rugby when they were promoted last year and they have recently been docked five points for fielding an illegible player.
Interim CEO, stuff Tony Copsey jokingly described their relationship with the RFU as ‘love,hate,’ but he did say that both conflicts have caused issues for the club’s limited resources.
Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Copsey said: “The effect it has on the business is incredible. There’s the time, the financial side of things and the resources.
“These kinds of cases put a huge strain on the resources of the club and they can really take away from the day to day business.”
Copsey did say that ‘there is a mutual respect between us and the RFU,’ however, the latest points deduction for fielding Tyson Keates, who was illegible, has caused further strain for the Oxford based club.
“Personally the club feel very strongly that the five point deduction is incredibly harsh given the situation and the extraordinary nature of the case,” said Copsey.
“It is obviously a massive blow to the club and the aspirations of the club. You can’t hide away from the fact that short-term the real challenge for the club is Premiership survival and Premiership status.
“My criticism comes from where the club has been judged. It should be judged by the RFU standards but we should all realise how extraordinary this case is, to the point where both the RFU and the club were deceived.
“Honestly, I do not think there is a club in the land that is guarding itself from fraud and administration issues from a rogue employee. It is just such a bizarre case.”
London Welsh have three games remaining to retain their Premiership status.
Read the full interview here >>
