There could be blood on floor at key Kings meeting
What should have been an amicable Isuzu Southern Kings shareholders gathering has suddenly escalated into a potential blood-on-the-floorstyle confrontation when warring rugby officials scrum down today.
After a jarring war of words in the media, minority shareholders the EP Rugby Union will have an opportunity to air their grievances in what is expected to be an acrimonious debate.
A rocky and turbulent history has existed between the Kings and the EPRU for several months and matters are expected to come to a head.
Kings chair Loyiso Dotwana and his deputy Rory Stear will represent the Kings, while the EP delegation will be headed by president Andre Rademan and deputy, Bantwini Matika.
Covid-19 has put rugby under intense financial pressure, and the Kings now have to adapt to unusually challenging circumstances in austere times.
Tuesday’s meeting was called by the EPRU who were alarmed by a delay in April salary payments to the Kings.
Angry EPRU officials have also taken umbrage at claims that they tried to block an extra funding payment of R6m to the Kings to solve the cash flow crisis.
The meeting will provide both parties with an ideal opportunity to clear the air over the road ahead for the embattled franchise.
It will also be an opportunity for the Kings to spell out their plans on how they intend taking the franchise forward in the wake of the financially crippling Covid-19 pandemic.
EP are the minority shareholders in the Guinness PRO14 franchise, which is owned by a business consortium.
In a statement after the pay crisis emerged, Dotwana said: “In these unprecedented and challenging times, I, as chairman, plan to lead the Kings Board in a wide-ranging strategic review and planning process.
“This is regarding a best possible way forward for the future commercial sustainability of the franchise on the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent global economic meltdown.”
Issues likely to come up for discussion are:
1. The poor form of the team in the Guinness PRO14.
The struggling franchise has won only one of their opening 13 matches and have suffered heavy defeats.
2. The appointment of a permanent head coach.
Since the departure of Deon Davids last year, the Kings are yet to make a permanent appointment.
To fill the gap left by Davids, the Kings appointed Robbi Kempson as an interim head coach.
3: Improved alignment between the franchise and union regarding EP’s bid to gain promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division.
It is thought that EP would like to adopt a similar model that is used by the Cheetahs, where the PRO14 and Currie Cup side is basically one entity.
4. EPRU are also seeking imfirst proved consultation when decisions regarding the PRO14 franchise are made.
5. The franchise have failed to acquire additional sponsors.
It is known that one of Rademan’s main goals is to facilitate the promotion of the EP Elephants from the Currie
Cup First Division to the Premier Division.
EP is the only franchise who do not have a team in the Currie Cup Premier Division.
Though they should have been paid on April 25, the anxious Kings players finally received their salaries late on
Tuesday afternoon.
In a statement, Rademan said: “Due to media coverage on the above subject pertaining to the non-payment of players and Southern Kings staff, the EP Rugby Union would like to place on record that the union is very concerned about the current state of affairs at the Southern Kings.
“The failure to meet their salary obligation is not only unacceptable, but also regrettable in these times that we are facing.
“The EPRU has requested an urgent shareholders meeting to be held within seven days to try address these important and crucial matters.
“Furthermore, the union has in no circumstances tried to block or encourage the nonpayment to the Southern Kings from the municipality as it has been reported in the media.”