London Irish handed lifeline as takeover deadline extended | Rugby Union News

The RFU originally imposed a deadline of the end of the month for London Irish to complete a takeover or risk suspension; the Gallagher Premiership club, whose current owners are in £30m debt, have been in protracted talks with an American consortium

London Irish players are sill awaiting payment for April

London Irish have escaped an immediate suspension from the Gallagher Premiership after the RFU extended the deadline for a takeover to be completed.

The club have been in talks with an American consortium over a takeover and earlier this month were given an initial deadline of May 30 by the RFU for one of two conditions to be met.

The governing body had stipulated that either the takeover had to be completed and approved by that date or for the club to produce evidence it could be funded and operated throughout next season, with failure to meet either condition risking them being suspended from the top-flight.

Sky Sports News now understands that Irish have been given a one-week extension to get the takeover completed, providing current owner Mick Crossan can pay the salaries of players and staff while the sale is ongoing.

London Irish players have been told to sit tight in the hope that the takeover by the US consortium is nearing completion.

The announcement raises hopes that the club can be saved from becoming the third this season to drop out of the Premiership after Wasps and Worcester Warriors.

More to follow…

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