London Irish file for administration following suspension after Mick Crossan failed to seal takeover

London Irish have filed for administration after being suspended from all competitions, the club have announced.

The Rugby Football Union on Tuesday confirmed that neither Irish’s owner Mick Crossan nor the American consortium planning to buy the club were able to prove they had the finances to compete in the Gallagher Premiership for the 2023-24 campaign.

Crossan said: ‘Administration has always been the last resort, and something we hoped we could avoid. And we bitterly regret the difficulties it will present to each and every one of you.

‘My focus is now on working with the appointed administrator and I hope that the club will come out of administration as quickly as possible.’

Crossan added: ‘As a lifelong fan of London Irish, the club’s suspension is bitterly disappointing, and I understand the sadness felt by the thousands of our loyal supporters and the frustrations of our incredible coaches, medical staff, back-office team, and players.

‘But this decision has ultimately ended any hope of an acquisition of the club and has regrettably forced us to file for administration this morning.’

The capital-based club had been banned from playing in any English rugby league next season. 

The RFU last week extended their deadline for the US consortium interested in buying Irish to complete their takeover of the club, but the cut off of 4pm on Tuesday was missed. 

Having decided that the club’s financial future was no longer safe, the RFU stepped in, and London Irish were banished to the bottom of the rugby pyramid. 

It is becoming a well-trodden path for Premiership sides, as London Irish follow the likes of Worcester and Wasps who have already left the top-flight due to financial reasons.  

The announcement of the club’s suspension from all club competitions came on Tuesday, after the deadline was missed. 

‘This is desperately sad news for everyone who is part of the London Irish community as well as all the players, fans, staff and volunteers for whom this club means so much,’ RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said.

‘Our first priority has been to do the utmost to secure the long-term viability of the club and the protection of its players and staff.

‘To achieve this, it was imperative transparent evidence of funding be presented to us.’