The BAFA had revealed that a team would not be heading to Mexico to compete in the Championship, due to take place from June 1 to 11 in Monterrey, blaming the BUCS. 

It is the second consecutive Championship they have missed, having also not sent a team to Sweden in 2014, and is a blow because the team is currently unbeaten in their matches against fellow European countries. 

The decision not to go to Monterrey has led to head coach Wayne Hill resigning from his position, a role he had held since 2012.

BAFA chairman Charles Macnamara praised Hill for creating a programme recognised around the world.

The BAFA, as a national governing body, do not enter teams into the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Championships.

Instead, under competition guidelines, teams are to be selected and entered by the university sport’s governing body of their country, BUCS having the responsibility in Britain.

BUCS have criticised the BAFA for allowing student athletes to believe they were working towards participating at the Championship when they had made no indication a team would be entered.

BUCS also claimed that at no stage over the last four years had they received confirmation that the participation of a British team in the Championship was financially viable.

“Discussions regarding a potential entry for 2014 WUC were concluded in September 2013, and at this juncture BUCS provided BAFA with a full explanation and rationale,” a BUCS statement read.

“It has been and remains our stated and demonstrable intention to maintain a dialogue with BAFA towards future FISU entries.

“However, no contact was received from BAFA between September 2013 and December 2015 regarding the 2016 event and BUCS' position remains unchanged.

“When BAFA approached BUCS in December 2015, and again in January and February 2016, BUCS has once more clearly stated the situation and rationale to BAFA.”