RFU denies referees' union call for meeting due to invalid request

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has denied a request from the Rugby Football Referees' Union (RFRU) and the Championship Clubs for a Special General Meeting (SGM) as their letter does not comply with relevant requirements.

The RFRU said last month it had taken on the role of co-ordinating the game's support for a motion to call for a SGM of English rugby's ruling body.

"The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has today received a letter, co-ordinated by the Rugby Football Referees' Union (RFRU) and the Championship Clubs, requesting a Special General Meeting (SGM)," the RFU said.

"The letter contains a number of inaccuracies. It does not comply with the relevant requirements and is therefore invalid as a requisition for an SGM."

The RFRU said it had decided to call for a SGM following news that RFU executives had received significant pay increases and bonuses, despite record losses and redundancies.

RFU board chairman Tom Ilube resigned in December after it emerged that huge bonuses were paid to CEO Bill Sweeney and other executives. REUTERS