RFL make decision on Leeds Rhinos no-show

LEEDS RHINOS will NOT be punished for failing to play their game against Catalans Dragons in March due to what the Rugby Football League describes as “truly exceptional” circumstances.
Fun at Leeds Rhinos  2020 team photo day. (Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMedia)Fun at Leeds Rhinos  2020 team photo day. (Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMedia)
Fun at Leeds Rhinos 2020 team photo day. (Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMedia)

Why Super League Grand Final could be played in JanuaryThe West Yorkshire club postponed their Super League fixture in Perpignan, scheduled for Saturday March 14, on the eve of the game after one of their players showed symptoms of the coronavirus.

The match had been due to go ahead behind closed doors, the RFL giving the go-ahead earlier that week after the French authorities banned gatherings of more than 1,000 spectators.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rhinos decided not to travel, though, and, at the time, the governing body hinted at a potential reprimand after warning the "consequences of this decision on the match, and any sanction, will be determined by the RFL board".

Of course, the Leeds player in mention - on-loan Wigan Warriors forward Joe Greenwood - eventually tested negative but, nevertheless, the whole sport was suspended indefinitely due to the pandemic just a few days later on March 16.

The RFL today announced their decision on the matter in the following statement.

It read: “The RFL Board and Compliance Manager have respectively considered matters arising from Leeds Rhinos failure to fulfil the above Match.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In accordance with the Operational Rules, and having considered all the circumstances which it was noted were truly exceptional, the RFL Board has determined that the match should be replayed and the Compliance Manager has determined that no other disciplinary action should be taken.

“Leeds have been reminded, and have accepted, that the Operational Rules are in place to ensure the smooth operation and integrity of the professional Rugby League competitions - and that in more usual circumstances the failure to fulfil a fixture would have led to significant sanctions.”

Rugby league hopes to resume playing in mid-August but it is hoped any postponed games could be played in the opening two weeks of that month if government guidelines and health and safety requirements are met.