Banana republic is ruling rugby

Nov 19 2008 Exclusive By John Whitbread, Surrey Herald

The Rugby Football Union's decision to transform all its promotion and relegation rules in the middle of the season has been branded as "the democracy of a banana republic".

The fierce condemnation of the RFU's controversial decision came this week from John Inverdale, chairman of rugby at Esher RFC, who are among the clubs most threatened by the shake-up.

Esher are one of 16 Division One clubs who will be slashed to just 12 in the summer to form a new Championship division under the 12-team Premiership.

It will mean FIVE clubs instead of two being relegated at the end of this season.

Division One clubs voted 12-4, (later amended to 10-6) against the plans, but the RFU council members decided on Friday to ride roughshod over the views of their own clubs.

BBC sports presenter Inverdale, who hosts a weekly rugby programme, was scathing about the plans declaring: "The whole thing has been handled appallingly badly. We are totally bewildered by the RFU's decision and especially their unseemly haste in railroading the whole thing through when the clubs most affected are clearly against it.

"Have you ever heard of any other sport where promotion and relegation rules are changed half-way through a season?

"If they tried to do that to the Championship in football there would be a national uproar."

It is understood that a significant factor in the decision was the promise of an £85million TV deal which would include coverage of a proposed play-off competition to decide promotion to the Premiership.

But many clubs, including Esher, who held an emergency meeting at Molesey Road last night, are worried that despite an increase in funding to clubs from £175,000 to £265,000 it will not be nearly enough to properly fund a second-tier competition.

"It seemed the RFU were determined to push this thing through whatever anyone thought - and that's the democracy of a banana republic."

Some clubs are so angry they are thinking of taking this to the High Court or appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

But Inverdale said: "The RFU has very deep pockets to fight a legal battle and so would all the extra angst and expense be worth it in the end?

"I think, in reality, a club like Esher have a couple of options.

"A: We try, in this period of financial crisis, to somehow raise from local businesses and benefactors the £1million it would probably cost to go fully professional.

"Or B: We could opt to go back to a level where we can compete while retaining the basic philosophy of club rugby.

"Everyone at Esher is incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the past 15 years, gaining no fewer than five promotions on the way up from London Two.

"This decision could force some clubs into financial ruin and we don't want Esher to suffer that fate.

"The meetings we are currently holding at the club will be hugely important and I feel the next few weeks could define Esher's future."