Worcester Warriors players demand answers after not being paid
The squad are still waiting to be paid the wages promised to them on Wednesday.
Last updated 2nd Sep 2022
The Warriors claim that a complication with the bank's automated system has led to the delay, but a number of players have issued breach of contract notices that enable them to leave if they do not receive their salaries for August within 14 days.
Bosses at the club announced earlier in the week that all players would get paid on Wednesday and non-playing staff would get 65% of their monthly salary with the expectation that they would see the remainder in the coming days.
It's as the club faces a winding up petition from HMRC over unpaid tax. The club said it was down to difficulties they faced through the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis.
Fly-half, Fin Smith, took part in a co-ordinated social media campaign on Friday morning, which players and management called for the club to be saved.
We're just really frustrated now
On a video he posted on Twitter, Mr Smith said: "We're just really frustrated now. We haven't been paid, we don't feel like we're getting what we deserve as a group so we need answers."
The head of player affairs at the Rugby Player's Association, Christian Day, told us:
"We know there's a huge amount of uncertainty at the club around ownership and that there's a significant debt to be paid.
"Unfortunately, we were informed by our members that they weren't paid, which is obviously going to create distrust."
He added that the players have been very understanding in the current circumstances.
Players are being advised to submit a letter directly to the club asking for it to be rectified within 14 days as per their contract.
The Worcester Warriors should be playing a pre-season fixture tonight, but have pulled out.