FORMER Wasps players have been awarded compensation after an employment tribunal following the Coventry-based club’s collapse.
Following the demise of Wasps in October 2022, as well as similar problems at Worcester Warriors and London Irish, all players, plus non-playing staff, were made redundant with no notice.
The Rugby Players Association (RPA) brought forward employment tribunal proceedings on behalf of 167 of its members to pursue claims for protective award compensation regarding the players’ redundancies.
The tribunal proceedings were held with Wasps Holdings Limited, which was in administration, in October.
Judgments were issued in the players’ favour, who were awarded the highest possible amount.
This was due to the clubs’ failure to consult with their employees before making the redundancies.
The payment of the protective award compensation will be made by the National Insurance Fund.
Elliott Stooke, formerly of Wasps, said: “This tribunal ruling demonstrates the incredible work that the RPA continues to do for me and other players around the league.
“They have actively pursued the protective award claims and this financial assistance will provide a foundation for many players and staff in rebuilding and moving forward with financial reassurance.”
RPA’s Player Welfare Director, Rich Bryan, added: “The compensation is capped and so players will not receive all of the money owed to them by the clubs and nothing can fully compensate players, staff and fans for what was lost but we hope this compensation will, in some way, help the players.”
