Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones has agreed to leave the Super Rugby club next week, ending more than a month of backroom drama.
Jones has reached a confidential settlement with the board and will step aside following an “orderly handover”, the Brumbies said in a statement on Saturday night.
The ACT-based franchise said both parties believed it in the best interests of the club to settle the dispute quickly and outside of court so the focus can return to the players.
The announcement was made just moments after the Brumbies’ 23-10 loss the Highlanders in Invercargill.
“We are immensely proud of our rugby program at the Brumbies and once again we’ve had a positive start to the season both in terms of on-field results and crowd support,” chairman Robert Kennedy said.
“I would ask all Brumbies fans to rally behind the team and continue to show their support in what we hope will be another successful year.”
Kennedy also reassured members, players, staff, business partners and stakeholders the board has the full confidence in the remaining management team and current financial position to continue operations in 2016.
Jones was stood down by the board in March after a scathing radio interview in which he addressed rumours about his future and concerns about a report into the club’s finances surrounding the sale of its Griffith headquarters.
He was allowed to stay on as CEO after being granted protection under whistleblower laws the following day.
That injunction was upheld by the ACT Supreme Court a week-and-a-half ago.
The club then offered Jones a chance to mutually part ways, which he rejected, before agreeing on Thursday to enter into formal mediation – where it’s believed a payout deal was finalised.
It had also been reported on Friday Jones was set to launch a workplace investigation into the actions of Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore and his teammate – also a board member – Scott Fardy.
But a spokesman for the Brumbies board confirmed on Saturday night it was not conducting any investigation into the actions of either player.
“The board and management take the issue of workplace behaviour very seriously and ensure that any complaints received are dealt with appropriately to ensure the rights of our players and staff are protected,” he said.