Exclusive - Super League games could be televised behind closed doors in May

Earlier this week, rugby league closed down until April 3 at the earliest, so concerned clubs are already desperately trying to prepare contingency plans.

Club chiefs took part in a lengthy conference call this afternoon to look at options in light of the latest Government clampdowns related to the pandemic.

The Premier League and English Football League (EFL) today further suspended their games until April 30 and rugby league clubs do not now expect to be back on the field before then.

They hope to gain some financial assistance from the Government - Wakefield Trinity chief executive Michael Carter believes Super League has a “strong case” - but equally they realise that cannot be relied upon and other action may need to be taken.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, Carter revealed: “The EFL have said April 30th and potentially, if playing squads haven’t been massively affected, there may be some appetite for certain (Super League) games to be televised after then but behind closed doors if that’s what the government advises at that time.

“We just need to get back playing as quickly as possible.

“At this stage, I don’t think anything is off the table.

“Obviously we have got contractual obligations with Sky. We need to have a certain amount of games on, they’re stuggling for live content and the NRL have done it (played behind closed doors) this weekend.

“If there’s no health issue to doing it then it may be a possibility we will have to consider.”

Rugby league is not a cash-rich sport and no club wants to play to empty stadiums due to the obvious critical loss of income.

But Carter admitted: “If you turn it on its head and say unless we give Sky 70 or 80 games a season then we’re in breach of contract, what’s bigger…?

“Either taking a hit because of the fact you have no fans there or taking a hit on the fact that your main TV broadcast deal is about to walk through the door?

“I think people will be sensible. There’s sensible discussions to be had but nothing’s off the table.

“It’s all about getting us through to November with the sport in a similar mould.

"What we're trying to do as clubs is have a unified approach to find solutions to the issue as clearly, even if we're optimistic, May 1st is probably going to be the earliest we can get back on the field.

"We're looking at solutions for getting through probably the next month, three months, six months and then into next season."