Worcester players' contract terminated after liquidation of WRFC Players Ltd
Steve Diamond's contract with Worcester has also been terminated along with rest of the staff and players
©PA
The contracts of the staff and players of Worcester Warriors have been terminated after the WRFC Players Ltd through which they were paid has been liquidated in the High Court.
This means the players and staff members along with the women's squad can now leave the club.
Worcester are currently on a suspension over an unpaid £6m tax bill and are yet to play the staff and squad members in full for the August and September payroll.
"This is the darkest day for English rugby," said Warriors director of rugby Steve Diamond.
"We thought we could turn the tanker around but it's ended up like the Titanic, sadly. The ship has sunk, the captains are nowhere to be seen."
The Warriors also now could expect suspension for the remainder of the Premiership season and an enforced relegation to the second tier competition the Championship.
Earlier, Worcester owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham, who drew criticism from all quarters said they were left with no other option as the players were not ready to accept pay cuts despite their financial crisis.
"We are thankful to those supporters who turned up week in, week out to support the club but sorry that there were not more, nor enough of you on a regular basis to help make the club financially viable, despite the significant personal funds we put into the club," a statement read.
"We are thankful to all of the staff that supported the club through Covid in accepting a significant reduction in their salary, but sorry that the playing squad could not accept a similar level of reduction.
"And in some players' instances would not accept any pay cut at all despite our openness at the financial impact this would have on the club."
