The Welsh Rugby Union, which is hosting this weekend’s two European finals, is facing a vote of no confidence after more than 50 clubs called for an emergency general meeting to discuss the way the governing body was conducting itself.
The former group chief executive of the WRU, David Moffett, who returned to Wales from New Zealand earlier this year because of his concern at the way the game was being run, delivered 51 letters from member clubs to the union after holding a media conference on Thursday afternoon.
The clubs’ principal grievance is a plan to shake up the league system from next season, a move they say was forced on them without consultation. Moffett outlined eight other areas of concern, including reducing the debt on the Millennium Stadium at a faster rate than contractually required and not following government advice on best practice in terms of who sits on the board.
“What the clubs want is a satisfactory response to all the points raised,” said Moffett. “If they do not receive it, a vote of no confidence in the board is an option. If that is proposed and passed, all the elected representatives would be obliged to resign.”
The person most criticised by Moffett, his successor as group chief executive, Roger Lewis, cannot be removed by the clubs. “It’s quite clear to me that the clubs have had enough,” said Moffett. “The single issue that has brought this to a head is the league structure. The WRU are like rabbits in the headlights and I think the person who is responsible for this is the chief executive. They will be held to account.”
Moffett said he could not understand why, with the end of May approaching, clubs did not know what leagues they would be playing in next season, while the country’s four regions still had to sign a new participation agreement with the WRU to replace the one that ends on 30 June.
“The WRU will find out that their actions have consequences,” said Moffett. “Clubs have found a voice and they’re going to send a very strong message to the WRU. It’s a sad day, not one for rejoicing. The fact that the clubs have called an egm is a wake-up call.”
Moffett, who would only be able to attend the extraordinary general meeting if a member club made him one of their delegates, announced earlier this year that he intends to challenge David Pickering for the chairmanship of the WRU, although that would first mean getting elected to the board, something that would be considerably more achievable if a vote of no confidence succeeded as not only would all the elected directors be obliged to resign but none would be allowed to stand again.
Moffett said his good-governance campaign had cost him £13,000 and that he was not being funded by any organisation. The four regions, who earlier this week announced a commercial tie-up with BT Sport, are expected to issue a joint statement on Friday in response to the calling of the egm.
The WRU has to set a date for the egm within three weeks and hold it no later than four weeks after notice has been given to clubs. It said that 43 of the 51 applications presented by Moffett were from member clubs, including all four of the regions.
“We will ensure the egm date and venue are confirmed as quickly as possible,” said the Union in a statement. “The WRU is determined to provide all the information the 43 member clubs require within the egm forum. The proposed league restructure appears to be the primary issue in the nomination letters and the WRU welcomes the opportunity to debate the issues raised by the clubs.”
