Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Elite deny allegations that Rotherham were paid to stay down

Chris Hewett
Wednesday 18 December 2002 01:00 GMT
Comments

England's elite professional clubs banded together in common cause yesterday to deny making slush-fund payments to Rotherham, last season's National Division One champions, in an effort to protect their own top-flight status.

However, the major owner-investors did not specifically deny discussing the possibility of making such payments, and this will certainly interest Mr Anthony Arlidge QC, a financial law specialist appointed by the Rugby Football Union to carry out an independent inquiry into the allegations, which could lead to a disrepute charge against one or more Premiership high-rollers.

Representatives of the Premiership fraternity met Robert Horner, the RFU's disciplinary officer, yesterday to respond to accusations, aired by the Worcester chairman and financier, Cecil Duckworth, that Rotherham were offered inducements to decline promotion to the senior league. As it turned out, Rotherham failed to meet stringent criteria on ground standards, and were denied access to the Premiership by England Rugby Ltd, the joint union-clubs body that administers the Premiership.

Premier Rugby issued a statement rubbishing suggestions that money was paid to Rotherham over and above the £740,000 "parachute" sum sanctioned by the RFU for rejected clubs. The statement also pointed out that Rotherham themselves had denied receiving any illicit payments, and that Horner had failed to table any evidence in support of the Duckworth claims. All 12 élite clubs put their name to the document – intriguing indeed, given Duckworth's frequent insistence that his information came from a source within the Premiership.

Horner's decision to go outside of Twickenham, rather than run an investigation of his own, was welcomed by Graeme Cattermole, the RFU chairman. "The allegations are extremely serious and I believe Robert Horner is right in instigating the appropriate independent inquiry," he said last night. "It is essential for all stakeholders in the game – the clubs, members and business partners – that this matter is brought to a speedy conclusion."

Mr Arlidge, who successfully prosecuted the murderer Jeremy Bamber and carried out an investigation into sharp practice for the Racecourse Association, has the widest possible brief. He will interview owners, officials and employees of the Premiership clubs, officials of the Rugby Football Union, and representatives of First Division Rugby Ltd, the body defending the interests of the teams outside the top division.

Meanwhile, Boroughmuir, the Scottish Premiership leaders and clear favourites for the title, have been docked four points for fielding too many overseas players in their victory over Currie at the beginning of the month. The club wrongly believed Tony Dowling, a wing from New Zealand, had fulfilled residential criteria and included him alongside another imported back, James Reilly, and a prop, Murray Driver.

A spokesman for the Scottish Rugby Union's championship committee said although the Edinburgh-based club had made a genuine error, their action amounted to a substantive breach of regulations. They are now nine points clear of Heriot's FP, rather than 13.

In South Africa, the brilliant Western Province centre Marius Joubert will miss the lion's share of next year's Super 12 campaign because of a shoulder injury that hindered him on the Springboks' dismal tour of Europe last month. Another autumn tourist, the Taranaki and New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore, will also be a Super 12 absentee. He too is struggling with shoulder problems, and is facing six months of inactivity.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in