Baron calls for PGA deal to be scrapped

‘RFU can’t afford to pay Prem clubs anything’

- NICK CAIN

FRANCIS Baron believes that the RFU is in serious financial difficulties which will undermine rugby union in England for the foreseeable future unless it takes drastic action.

The former RFU chief executive says this should involve axing the £200 million PGA funding paid currently to the Premiership clubs, and calling an SGM for RFU Member clubs to approve any new PGA agreement.

Baron argues that the RFU’s finances have been so badly mismanaged that if the eight-year PGA agreement signed in 2016 is replicated when it is renewed in 2024 the governing body will simply be financially unsustainable.

With the new PGA negotiations well advanced, Baron says that the stakes could not be higher, and because any new PGA agreement will have huge effects on the entire game, it has to be put to an SGM for approval, or rejection, by the RFU’s member clubs.

Baron comments: “The game is losing confidence in the RFU Board’s management after a series of poor decisions and agreements – and as any new PGA will have enormous ramifications for the whole game it must therefore be put before an SGM for the members to vote on. This is required by best corporate governance practice to which the RFU is committed.”

This call for an SGM follows The Rugby Paper exclusive three weeks ago when a quarterly report by the RFU’s chief financial officer, Sue Day, revealed a huge financial loss of £50 million for the 2022-2024 period.