WORCESTER RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Early day motion 1753, tabled 11 November 1998 by Peter Luff (Conservative). Signed by 4 members.

That this House regrets the decision of English Rugby Partnerhsips to deduct two championship points from Worcester Rugby Football Club following a hearing by the Rugby Football Union Appeals Committee; believes that the decision of English Rugby Partnerships was upheld for reasons which are inconsistent with the evidence put before the tribunal and inconsistent with the English Championship regulations; considers that the Appeals Committee allowed extraneous evidence to be brought before it and that evidence may have carried some weight with members of the committee; supports the decision of Worcester Rugby Football Club to seek to rectify the situation which amounts to an injustice, a breach of the Club Championship regulations and a breach of the rules of natural justice; and therefore calls upon English Rugby Partnerships to reverse its decision and reinstate the points to Worcester Rugby Football Club as a matter of urgency, enabling the happy relationship that has always previously existed between Worcester Rugby Football Club and the Rugby Football Union to be re-established.

Signatures by party: Labour 2, Conservative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.