: Worcester Warriors players and staff will have their contracts terminated after part of the English Premiership club was dissolved in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The court ordered the liquidation of WRFC Players Ltd, through which players and staff are paid. The decision means they are free to join other clubs.
Worcester, who was served with a winding-up order over allegedly six million pounds ($6.78 million) in unpaid taxes, went into administration last month after failing to meet a Rugby Football Union (RFU) deadline to prove that they could operate in financial difficulties.
They were also suspended from all competitions.
“This is a very sad day for rugby in England. Our thoughts are with all the players, staff and supporters of the Worcester Warriors,” RFU CEO Bill Sweeney said in a statement.
Worcester rugby director Steve Diamond compared the club’s plight to the Titanic.
“This is the darkest day for English rugby. We thought we could flip the tanker but unfortunately it ended up like the Titanic,” he wrote on Twitter.
“The ship has sunk, the captains are nowhere to be seen. The RFU/PRL band played in the background. There are a privileged few who have jobs.”
The team, who finished 11th last season, are facing relegation from the Premier League with a decision likely in the coming days.
Worcester’s co-owners said last month they had found three interested buyers and the deal was moving forward at a “fast pace”.
They met a deadline to assure they could safely host games amid the financial turmoil before the RFU asked the club to come up with a credible plan to avoid a suspension.
“The RFU will continue to be in contact with Administrators and potential buyers over the next 24 hours to understand the possibility of a buyer taking over the club in time for the men’s side to compete in the Gallagher Premier League in the 2022 season. 23,” Sweeney added.
Worcester clinched their first win of the season with a 39-5 win over the Newcastle Falcons last month after losing their first two games.
($1 = 0.8855 pounds)