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RPA statement: 'To continue along this path will cause irrevocable damage to clubs'
By Ian Cameron
The Rugby Players Association (RPA) have issued a statement in the wake of news that supporters could be banned from attending rugby matches for up to six months.
The RPA say that the move could cause 'irrevocable damage to clubs' and that the game must be given a financial support package from the UK government.
The RPA statement reads: "Following the Government announcement last week that supporters will not be allowed into stadiums for up to 6 months and the subsequent message from the Premiership Rugby Club Chairmen seeking urgent support, The Rugby Players Association are advocating the vital importance of a Government backed rescue package in order to save the game in England.
"Premiership Rugby Clubs have already suffered significant financial losses from the suspension of the season following the outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequently playing matches behind closed doors. To continue along this path will cause irrevocable damage to clubs across the Premiership that will impact the wider game and communities they serve in England. In the absence of the revenues that live crowds bring to the sport, it is imperative that that game gets significant financial support to help it through this challenging time.
"We have spoken to a number of very concerned players who recognise the devastating impact this latest news will have on their employers and the broader game. Professional rugby provides important physical and mental positivity across a wide range of community and grassroots sport and the removal of this will have enormous implications for clubs and fans of all age ranges.
"We are calling on the players and fans to show their support in keeping the sport of rugby alive – this sport has outstanding values and we all need to align our interests to ensure its pending survival."
Over the weekend the owners of Worcester Warriors met with the UK Sports Minister to discuss how they could manage the challenge posed by COVID and potentially open to fans.
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Latest Comments
Look there are a few unarguable facts here that are very clear. SARU was close to bankruptcy with SR, bailed out by the Lions and they need the URC and EPCR. Inclusion of SA teams in URC has been a great for for ALL concerned, from a rugby perspective and financially, moreover there is massive growth yet to come. The GP is in financial trouble and this will be the catalyst for EPCR change to further cement the Boks.
If this all plays out with even greater rewards for the urc AND the Top14 & GP via EPCR, the 6N will become 7N. Nz and Aus NEED to get their version firing with Japan & the PI’s, otherwise they will find themselves increasingly regressing…
Go to commentsPerofeta came back and was available for the eoyt right? Or was that why Love was in the squad (but got injured in the last week)?
It was such a frustrating year. Perofeta looked a service stop gap until Jordan was fit, but then got injured. Plummer was selected because of Pero's injury and dmac shat the bed in the second half in Australia but Clarke (?) got himself binned at the 65 min mark so Plummer couldn't come on (at least with the risk adverse Razors thinking) when he was planned to.
So many other exciting opportunities that could have happened without injuries, but then theyre probably balanced by knowing Sititi probably wouldn't have been given a chance without multiple injuries happened.
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