Worcester Warriors put into administration
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will now apply to the court to appoint administrators.
Last updated 26th Sep 2022
The DCMS said it had agreed with a request from club directors to place Worcester into administration.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: "We understand the past few months have been difficult for the players, staff and fans of Worcester Warriors Rugby Football Club.
"We have worked around the clock with the club's directors, the PRL (Premiership Rugby) and the RFU to explore all possible options, but during this time the owners have been unable to secure new investment for the club.
"In order to give the club the best possible chance of survival, and to protect a significant taxpayer investment, we have today agreed to the directors' request to place the club into administration.
"We will now apply to the court to appoint administrators and will begin work to explore all possible options to protect creditors and preserve the local rugby offering in Worcester."
It comes after Warriors were earlier suspended from all competitions after they failed to meet a Rugby Football Union deadline requesting proof of insurance cover and funding for the club's monthly payroll.
The RFU also wanted evidence of a "credible plan to take the club forward" by 5pm on Monday.
Worcester's debts are understood to total more than £25million, including at least £6m in unpaid tax, amid growing anger felt towards owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham, who have been accused of asset-stripping the club.
The RFU said: "The owners of Worcester Warriors have not met the RFU's 5pm deadline to evidence insurance cover, availability of funds to meet the monthly payroll and a credible plan to take the club forward.
"The RFU has therefore suspended Worcester Warriors from all competitions, including the Gallagher Premiership, Allianz Premier 15s, U18s Academy Cup and Allianz Cup with immediate effect."
Worcester's Sixways Stadium is now closed - staff were given until Monday afternoon to collect belongings - with no indication when, or if, it will reopen.
Premiership Rugby confirmed that Worcester's league game at Gloucester on Saturday will not take place.
"Although the RFU decision to suspend Worcester Warriors from all competitions won't be a surprise to many, I know this will continue to be a distressing time for the players, staff and supporters at the club and we will continue to support them where we can during this next phase," Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor said.
"This decision affects other clubs in the league, too, and we are sorry for the disruption it has caused Gloucester Rugby and its supporters, whose home fixture will no longer take place this weekend."
Because the Warriors have no public liability insurance, Worcester's squad face training off-site when the players eventually reconvene.
Speaking last week, Worcester rugby director Steve Diamond said: "We have been in this period of near-purgatory for a while now, and it is starting to come to a head.
"I don't know how it has got to this position. It is sad, and it is diabolical that it has been allowed to walk itself to the graveyard, virtually, and I never thought it would get to this position, but it has.
"If the right investor with the right capital investment, working capital money, comes in, then you wouldn't have to be Warren Buffett (American business magnate) to turn it round."