WARRIORS have been forced to axe their pre-season clash with Glasgow Warriors as the uncertainty over the club’s immediate future continues.
Director of Rugby Steve Diamond confirmed the ‘hugely frustrating and disappointing’ decision not to travel to Inverness for Friday’s (September 2) friendly as players and staff wages remain unpaid.
The Warriors chief gave an insight into the dressing room and revealed his squad were ‘bitterly disappointed’ to have been put in this position.
“We express our deep sorrow to our hosts Glasgow Warriors who we hope understand the unique and worrying situation we find ourselves in,” Diamond said.
The vastly-experienced coach paid tribute to sponsor Adam Hewitt for his ‘overwhelming generosity’ in offering to fund the trip.
“It simply isn’t feasible to play when futures remain uncertain. It is unethical for professional players to play a full-on game with the risk of injury and the real possibility of no employment to follow,” Diamond added.
“We thank everyone for their continued support and for uniting behind us all – Together”
The news comes amid the real risk of an exodus of players and staff from Sixways after the club’s owners revealed wages were unlikely to be paid today (Wednesday)
It’s thought the winding-up petition brought by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs has meant co-owner Colin Goldring is not able to access the funds required to meet payroll for August.
As a result, the troubled Premiership outfit could see players like Kyle Hatherall and Duhan Van Der Merwe leave Sixways with club’s in France reportedly interested in securing their signatures.
Under the Premiership Standard Form contract, if players are not paid on time then they can apply for a breach of contract. The club then have 14 days to rectify the breach or the player will be free to leave for another club.
The potential blow comes despite a meeting of a consortium headed by former Warriors chief Jim O’Toole with the Government amid last week’s winding up petition over an unpaid tax bill.
Politicians from across Worcester’s political divide, Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council have all called for a solution to protect the late Cecil Duckworth’s legacy and find a positive outcome for the future of Worcester Warriors.
