sport news London Irish players 'were given pay ultimatum' amid RFU stay of execution trends now
London Irish players 'were handed an ultimatum over their pay at a crisis meeting' as the club's future hangs in the balance.
The Premiership club was granted a dramatic stay of execution on Tuesday, as revealed by Mail Sport, so an American consortium can complete a takeover.
The RFU granted a week's extension to complete a deal and avoid following the fate of Worcester and Wasps in dropping out of English rugby's top-flight.
It came after the prospective buyers provided further financial information though senior RFU figures remain sceptical of their ability to take over the club.
But, as reported by The Times, there was a further twist on Tuesday night when Irish backtracked on a crucial commitment to pay their squad full May salaries.
London Irish players were reportedly given an ultimatum over their salaries as the crisis-stricken Premiership club was granted a week-long stay of execution to complete a takeover
The players were reportedly called to a crisis meeting on Tuesday night and told the club will fold if they don't accept the offer of half wages now with the rest paid later
Paying player and staff salaries on time was a condition of the RFU granting the stay of execution.
The Times report that London Irish employees were told at lunchtime on Tuesday that Mick Crossan, who owns the club via his company Powerday, would cover the £500,000 payroll for May in full.
The players reacted with a mood of 'cautious optimism' they would receive their money on Wednesday as planned.
However, by dinner time, the offer of full salaries had been retracted. The players were called into an emergency meeting at 15 minutes' notice and given an ultimatum.
They were reportedly asked to accept 50 per cent of their May salaries and not to submit breach-of-contract letters, on the promise that the new owners would cover the remainder in due course.
The Times said the players were told if they refused to accept the compromise, they'd receive no pay at all and the club would fold.
Indications were that the squad was leaning towards accepting the deal.
Irish had been told by the RFU they must meet a deadline of 5pm on Tuesday and prove either the American consortium had the finances to buy them or Crossan could fund the team for next season.
Club owner Mike Crossan must show he can finance the club next season or secure a sale
Mail Sport revealed on Tuesday that English rugby's governing body had extended the deadline for the takeover to be completed by seven days.
However, there remains serious doubts the prospective buyers will be able to finalise the takeover in the additional time they have been granted given they have previously failed to tick the right RFU boxes in the last two months or more.
Mail Sport understands Crossan is nonetheless hopeful that will happen but what is certain is that Irish have been given an unexpected lifeline.
The RFU's willingness to move on the strict deadline they had previously imposed on Irish reflects their desperation not to see a third Premiership club fall out of existence this season.
A letter to Irish's players, which has been seen by
