- RFU boss Bill Sweeney faced a vote of no confidence on Thursday night
- He survived the vote and has held on to his job amid scrutiny over his salary
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney survived a vote of no confidence in his position on Thursday night at a special general meeting.
Sweeney was left clinging to his job last year after he received a £1.1million salary at a time when the RFU posted a financial loss of nearly £40million and made 40 staff redundant.
The under-fire boss has remained defiant throughout the crisis and will now continue in his job.
RFU members rejected the motion of no confidence in Sweeney by 466 to 206.
A motion to ‘believe the Governance and Representation Review should be expedited and this should include formal consultation with the wider game’ was passed by a wide majority.
Sir Bill Beaumont, the interim Chair of the RFU, said: ‘The message from our members is clear.
Bill Sweeney (pictured) remains RFU chief executive after surviving a vote of no confidence
There has been plenty of scrutiny surrounding his job after he received a £1.1m salary last year despite the RFU posting a financial loss of almost £40m
RFU interim chair, Sir Bill Beaumont (pictured), welcomed the ‘decisive outcome’ of the vote
‘They have voted emphatically to support our CEO, Bill Sweeney, and I am pleased to see such a decisive outcome.
‘I would also like to acknowledge the members who voted for the motion—thank you for your voices and your perspectives. Every opinion matters and your concerns have been duly heard.
‘I ask that you now give the RFU the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to progress.
‘We are listening and taking action. These last few months have not been easy for English rugby.
‘Now is the time to pull together and this shouldn’t happen again.
‘Now is the time for us to come together, to strengthen our unity, and to focus on the future. The time for division is past.
‘Now is the time to unite behind an opportunity to renew English rugby.
‘The RFU wants to modernise, and this is an unprecedented opportunity to do exactly that.
‘In conclusion, let’s stand together, and focus on what we can achieve together, and work to ensure that the Rugby Football Union continues to thrive, evolve, and lead the way in rugby.
‘The time for division is behind us. The time for collaboration is now.’