Reports tonight suggest that Worcester Warriors face being blocked from joining the Championship by the Rugby Football Union.
Former Warriors chief executive Jim O’Toole leads the Atlas consortium seeking to buy the club and ground.
The RFU has said it expects to make a decision on the deal “ahead of Christmas” after due diligence checks.
But in a statement, Atlas claim the governing body was trying to impose “onerous operational conditions”.
They added: “Since entering into exclusivity with the administrators, we have sought to work collaboratively with the RFU with a view to Worcester Warriors re-entering the Championship for the 2023-24 season.
“Unfortunately, it has not been possible to reach a market or institutionally acceptable, commercially viable proposition with the RFU.
“The position being taken by the RFU gives, in our view, too much control and oversight to the RFU and such control and oversight is over and above what we consider is reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances.”
In better news, Wasps are set to be approved entry to the Championship under their new ownership, according to The Telegraph.
Two more Premiership clubs in trouble as league’s debt topples £500m
#13. Exeter Chiefs – £13m
#12. Gloucester – £27m
#11. Northampton Saints £26.5m
#10. Worcester Warriors – £26.5m
