Bradford to learn if bullish stance over points deduction is merited

CRISIS club Bradford Bulls could know by the end of this week if they are to start the Super League season with another points 
deduction.
Bradford Bulls head coach 
Francis CumminsBradford Bulls head coach 
Francis Cummins
Bradford Bulls head coach Francis Cummins

They announced last Friday a change of ownership from OK Bulls Ltd, the company set up by former owner Omar Khan.

Although that firm was briefly placed in administration, a new firm – Bradford Bulls 2014 – was immediately established to take over the running of the club.

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It came after the collapse of a deal to transfer Khan’s shares to the three directors currently in charge, headed by Mark Moore.

However, even though the administration was only enacted to navigate the thorny issue of that takeover, there could still be ramifications.

Bradford were deducted six points in July 2012 for breaking insolvency rules and risk the same penalty again, something which could prove catastrophic for the three-times World Club Challenge champions given relegation returns at the end of this campaign.

The Yorkshire Post understands the new owners are offering to pay the majority of creditors 100p in the pound, which would curry favour when their case is put before the RFL Independent Board of Directors, possibly as early as Friday.

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They must decide if the club have undermined the integrity of the sport” which Bradford will argue against given the swiftness of the process and their apparent ability to start paying off creditors.

However, the fact they have now been in administration twice in quick succession could be held against them as could statements made over the weekend about ring-fencing players from sale and boldly saying they would receive no points deduction.

With Bradford’s first game against Castleford Tigers less than a fortnight away, RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said: “The potential new owners of the club have to apply effectively to the RFL for the licence to be transferred and that will be subject to the normal scrutiny, you’d expect.

“I’d expect over the course of the next week for them (Bradford) to make representations about why that licence should be transferred and why they are the best people to take the club on. We’re all aware that the club needs as much certainty as quickly as possible. It’s a big rugby league club.”

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On the matter of potential points deductions – zero, two, four or six – Wood added: “At the point the club has made its application, the board will convene to determine the circumstances that has occurred under, whether they are prepared to approve it and whether or not there’s been a breach of the regulations on insolvency to determine whether or not any sanction should be imposed.

“The previous position of the board has always been that if creditors are let down in any way shape or form then that becomes a very tangible and obvious breach of insolvency policy.

“If they are not let down and there isn’t a loss suffered then that allows people to run an argument but we’re in danger of speculating about what has gone on. We’ll have to wait and see.”