The Rugby Football Union has suspended Worcester Warriors from all competitions with immediate effect over their ongoing financial crisis.
Worcester have been unable to pay staff on time or in full at various points already this season, and had been given a 5pm BST deadline on Monday to provide proof that they had available funds to pay staff on their monthly payroll as well as a "credible plan to take the club forward".
However, the club's owners missed that deadline and the RFU have subsequently suspended them from all competitions.
The ban will apply to the Gallagher Premiership, Allianz Premier 15s, Under-18s Academy Cup and Allianz Cup, and will take place immediately.
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney released a statement following the decision, saying: "We appreciate this is incredibly difficult news for fans, staff and players. We would like to thank the staff and players who have worked tirelessly over recent weeks to enable matches to continue.
"We met with players and staff last week to explain why this action would be necessary and regrettably without assurances in place we have had to take this action to protect everyone's best interests.
"We hope a buyer can be secured to allow Worcester Warriors and The University of Worcester Warriors to return to professional league rugby.
"While it is the responsibility of each business owner to manage their individual finances, we will look at learnings from this situation to see what regulation can be put in place to provide all parties with more financial transparency."
The Warriors are yet to enter administration and could still be bought out, but for now there will be no access allowed for players or staff at Sixways Stadium or training facilities.
Worcester beat Newcastle Falcons on Saturday in their final match before this ban.
The club's plight is not the only financial issue engulfing club rugby in England at the moment, with six-time Premiership and two-time European champions Wasps having also announced their intention to appoint administrators.
Barney Corkhill
