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In late 2022, the RFU reported record operating losses of nearly £40 million. Despite these staggering figures and the redundancy of 42 staff members, Sweeney was awarded a remarkable bonus that increased his basic salary by £358,000, bringing his total earnings to approximately £1.1 million. This revelation has not only caused an uproar among RFU members but has also raised eyebrows among rugby supporters. The dissatisfaction regarding executive bonuses may have been the catalyst for the unrest, but the issues run deeper than financial compensations.